"Yes I must take the first train to New York. I have some reason to expect my mother by this steamer."
"Back to New York!" said Fleda. "Then taking care of me has just hindered you in your business."
But even as she spoke, she read the truth in his eye, and her own fell in confusion.
"My business?" said he, smiling; "you know it now, Elfie. I arrived at Mrs. Evelyn's just after you had quitted it, intending to ask you to take the long-talked-of drive; and learned, to my astonishment, that you had left the city, and, as Edith kindly informed me, under no better guardianship than that in which I found you. I was just in time to reach the boat."
"And you ere in the boat night before last?"
"Certainly."
"I should have felt a great deal easier if I had known that," said Fleda.
"So should I," said he; "but you were invisible, till I discerned you in the midst of a crowd of people before me in the car."
Fleda was silent, till the sleigh stopped, and Mr. Carleton had handed her out.
"What's going to be done with this here trunk?" said heir driver, trying a tug at one handle.