"Does he?" said Fleda rather starting, but she added not another word, simply because she felt she could not safely.
"He has accepted, I believe, a consulship at Jamaica."
"Jamaica!" said Fleda. "I have heard him speak of the West Indies--I am not surprised--I know it was likely he would not stay here."
How tightly her fingers that were free grasped the edge of the window-frame. Mr. Carleton saw it and softly removed them into his own keeping.
"He may go before I can be here again. But I shall leave my mother to take care of you, Elfie."
"Thank you," said Fleda faintly. "You are very kind--"
"Kind to myself," he said smiling. "I am only taking care of my own. I need not say that you will see me again as early as my duty can make it possible;--but I may be detained, and your friends may be gone--Elfie--give me the right to send if I cannot come for you. Let me leave my wife in my mother's care."
Fleda looked down, and coloured, and hesitated; but the expression in her face was not that of doubt.
"Am I asking too much?" he said gently.
"No sir," said Fleda,--"and--but--"