She came back from her meditations with a very frank look.
"I was thinking Mr. Carleton of your notions about female education."
"Well?"
They had paused upon a rising ground. Fleda hesitated, and then looked up in his face.
"I am afraid you will find me wanting, and when you do, will you put me in the way of being all you wish me to be?"
Her look was ingenuous and tender, equally. He gave her no answer, except by the eye of grave intentness that fixed hers till she could meet it no longer, and her own fell. Mr. Carleton recollected himself.
"My dear Elfie," said he, and whatever the look had meant, Elfie was at no loss for the tone now "what do you consider yourself deficient in?"
Fleda spoke with a little difficulty.
"I am afraid, in a good many things in general reading and in what are called accomplishments "
"You shall read as much as you please, by and by," said he, "provided you will let me read with you; and, as for the other want, Elfie, it is rather a source of gratification to me."