"I wish he had," said Fleda, "for then I need not have spoken a word."
"Why," said Mr. Stackpole a little irritated, "you suppose he would have fought for you against me?"
"I suppose he would have fought for truth against anybody, sir," said Fleda.
"Even against his own interests?"
"If I am not mistaken in him," said Fleda, "he reckons his own and those of truth identical."
The shout that was raised at this by all the ladies of the family, made her look up in wonderment.
"Mr. Carleton,"--said Mrs. Evelyn,--"what do you say to that, sir."
The direction of the lady's eye made Fleda spring up and face about. The gentleman in question was standing quietly at the back of her chair, too quietly, she saw, to leave any doubt of his having been there some time. Mr. Stackpole uttered an ejaculation, but Fleda stood absolutely motionless, and nothing could be prettier than her colour.
"What do you say to what you have heard, Mr. Carleton?" said Mrs. Evelyn.
Fleda's eyes were on the floor, but she thoroughly appreciated the tone of the question.