"The first words Mrs. Carleton said when Mr. Carleton got home," said the old butler "she put both her hands on his arms and cried out, 'Guy, I am delighted with her!' "
"And what did he say?" said Mrs. Fothergill.
"He!" echoed Mr. Spenser, in a tone of indignant intelligence "what should he say! He didn't say anything; only asked where she was, I believe."
In the midst of silks, muslins, and jewels, Mr. Carleton found Fleda still, on his return; looking pale, and even sad, though nobody but himself, through her gentle and grateful bearing, would have discerned it. He took her out of the hands of the committee, and carried her down to the little library, adjoining the great one, but never thrown open his room, as it was called where more particularly art and taste had accumulated their wealth of attractions.
"I remember this very well," said Fleda. "This beautiful room!"
"It is as free to you as to me, Elfie; and I never gave the freedom of it to any one else."
"I will not abuse it," said Fleda.
"I hope not, my dear Elfie," said he smiling, "for the room will want something to me now when you are not in it; and a gift is abused that is not made free use of."
A large and deep bay-window in the room looked upon the same green lawn and fir wood, with the windows of the library. Like these, this casement stood open, and Mr. Carleton, leading Fleda there, remained quietly beside her for a moment, watching her face, which his last words had a little moved from its outward composure. Then, gently and gravely, as if she had been a child, putting his arm round her shoulders, and drawing her to him, he whispered
"My dear Elfie you need not fear being misunderstood "