"You have been to that cottage before, Eleanor?"
"Yes."
"How was that?"
"I went with Julia when she was carrying some refreshments to her sick friend. I will do that for anybody, Mr. Carlisle."
"Say that over again," he said calmly, but with a manner that shewed he would have it. And Eleanor could not resist.
"I would do that for anybody, Macintosh," she said gently, laying her hand upon his arm.
"No, darling. You shall send nurses and supplies to all the folk in the kingdom—if you will—but you shall pay such honour as this to nobody but me."
"Mr. Carlisle," said Eleanor rousing again, "if I am not worthy your trust, I am not fit to do either you or anybody else honour."
She had straightened herself up to face him as she said this, but it was mortifying to feel how little she could rouse him. He only drew her back into his arms, folding her close and kissing her again and again.
"You are naughty," he said, "but you are good. You are as sweet as a rose, Eleanor. My wife will obey me, in a few things, and she shall command me in all others. Darling, I wish you not to be seen in the village again alone. Let some one attend you, if I am not at hand."