"When I have flung my plume in anybody's face, sir," said Charlton rather hotly, "it will be time enough to throw it back again."
Mrs. Rossitur put her hand on his arm and looked her remonstrance.
"Are you glad to be home again, dear Fleda?" she said turning to her.
But Fleda was making some smiling communications to her uncle and did not seem to hear.
"Fleda does it seem pleasant to be here again?"
"Very pleasant, dear aunt Lucy--though I have had a very pleasant visit too."
"On the whole you do not wish you were at this moment driving out of town in Mr. Thorn's cabriolet?" said her cousin.
"Not in the least," said Fleda coolly. "How did you know I ever did such a thing?"
"I wonder what should bring Mr. Thorn to Queechy at this time of year," said Hugh.
Fleda started at this confirmation of Constance's words; and what was very odd, she could not get rid of the impression that Mr. Rossitur had started too. Perhaps it was only her own nerves, but he had certainly taken away the arm that was round her.