"I don't think Mr. Thorn is particularly apt to like anybody," said Fleda, who knew very well the original cause of both exceptions but did not like to advert to it.
"Apparently you don't like Mr. Thorn?" said Mr. Rossitur, speaking for the first time.
"I don't know who does, sir, much,--except his mother."
"What is he?"
"A man not wanting in parts, sir, and with considerable force of character,--but I am afraid more for ill than for good. I should be very sorry to trust him with anything dear to me."
"How long were you in forming that opinion?" said Charlton looking at her curiously.
"It was formed, substantially, the first evening I saw him, and I hare never seen cause to alter it since."
The several members of the family therewith fell into a general muse, with the single exception of Hugh, whose eyes and thoughts seemed to be occupied with Fleda's living presence. Mr. Rossitur then requested that breakfast might be ready very early--at six o'clock.
"Six o'clock!" exclaimed Mrs. Rossitur.
"I have to take a long ride, on business, which must be done early in the day."