Fleda could hardly return his smile. She thought people were possessed with an unhappy choice of subjects in talking to her that morning. But fancying that she had very ill kept up her part in the conversation, and must have looked like a simpleton, she forced herself to break the silence which followed the last remark, and asked the same question she had asked Mrs. Fothergill if the country was quiet?
"Outwardly quiet," he said; "O yes there is no more difficulty that is, none which cannot easily be handled. There was some danger a few months ago, but it is blown over; all was quiet on Carleton's estates so soon as he was at home, and that, of course, had great influence on the neighbourhood. No, there is nothing to be apprehended. He has the hearts of his people completely, and one who has their hearts can do what he pleases with their heads, you know. Well, he deserves it he has done a great deal for them."
Fleda was afraid to ask in what way; but perhaps he read the question in her eyes.
"That's one of his hobbies ameliorating the condition of the poorer classes on his estates. He has given himself to it for some years back; he has accomplished a great deal for them a vast deal indeed! He has changed the face of things, mentally and morally, in several places, with his adult schools, and agricultural systems, and I know not what; but the most powerful means, I think, after all, has been the weight of his personal influence, by which he can introduce and carry through any measure; neither ignorance, nor prejudice, nor obstinacy, seem to make head against him. It requires a peculiar combination of qualities, I think very peculiar and rare to deal successfully with the mind of the masses."
"I should think so, indeed," said Fleda.
"He has it I don't comprehend it and I have not studied his machinery enough to understand that; but I have seen the effects. Never should have thought he was the kind of man either but there it is I don't comprehend him. There is only one fault to be found with him, though."
"What is that?" said Fleda, smiling.
"He has built a fine Dissenting chapel down here towards Hollonby," he said, gravely, looking her in the face "and, what is yet worse, his uncle tells me, he goes there half the time himself."
Fleda could not help laughing, nor colouring, at his manner.
"I thought it was always considered a meritorious action to build a church," she said.