"Shall I see you at Mrs. Decatur's, to-morrow?"
"No, Sir."
"I thought I understood," said he, in an explanatory tone, "from your friends, the Miss Evelyns, that they were going."
"I believe they are, and I did think of it; but I have changed my mind, and shall stay at home with Mrs. Evelyn."
After some further conversation, the hour for the drive was appointed, and Mr. Carleton took leave.
"Come for me twice, and Mrs. Evelyn refused without consulting me!" thought Fleda. "What could make her do so? How very rude he must have thought me! And how glad I am I have had an opportunity of setting that right!"
So, quitting Mrs. Evelyn, her thoughts went off upon a long train of wandering over the afternoon's talk.
"Wake up!" said the doctor, laying his hand kindly upon her shoulder; "you'll want something fresh again presently. What mine of profundity are you digging into now?"
Fleda looked up, and came back from her profundity with a glance and smile as simple as a child's.
"Dear uncle Orrin, how came you to leave me alone in the library?"