And Mrs. Evelyn went off into little fits of laughter, which unstrung all Fleda's nerves. She stood absolutely trembling.
"Mamma, don't plague her!" said Constance. "He didn't say so."
"He did! upon my word!" said Mrs. Evelyn, speaking with great difficulty "he said she was very charming, and it might be dangerous to see too much of her."
"You made him say that, Mrs. Evelyn," said Fleda, reproachfully.
"Well, I did ask him if you were not very charming, but he answered without hesitation," said the lady "I am only so afraid that Lot will make his appearance "
Fleda turned round to the glass, and went on arranging her hair, with a quivering lip.
"Lot! Mamma," said Constance, somewhat indignantly.
"Yes," said Mrs. Evelyn, in ecstasies; "because the land will not bear both of them. But Mr. Carleton is very much in earnest for his answer, Fleda, my dear what shall I tell it him? You need be under no apprehensions about going he will perhaps tell you that you are charming, but I don't I think he will say anything more. You know, he is a kind of patriarch; and when I asked him if he didn't think it might be dangerous to see too much of you, he said he thought it might to some people, so, you see, you are safe."
"Mrs. Evelyn, how could you use my name so?" said Fleda, with a voice that carried a good deal of reproach.
"My dear Fleda, shall I tell him you will go? You need not be afraid to go riding, only you must not let yourself be seen walking with him."