‘How can I tell you what I might believe about the future? All that I know is—I trust you, and am content’——
‘That’s my Madge,’ he said in a low glad tone, as he clasped her hand.
‘At the same time,’ she went on gravely, ‘you must remember that Uncle Dick has not only been good and kind to me; but he has, besides, shown himself wise in the advice he has given to others, and it would be very wrong of me not to think seriously over anything he may counsel about my future.’
‘Now you are playing Miss Prim, and I don’t admire you in that character. I like your uncle and respect his judgment—except of course in the present instance’—— Then, suddenly checking himself: ‘But what did he say?’
‘Not very much, but he was in earnest. He told me that if I cared for myself or cared for him, I was to have nothing more to do with any of the Ringsford Manor people.’
‘That was when he came home from the market yesterday?’
‘Yes—but you must not think’——
‘No, no—I was not suspecting him of having stayed too long at the King’s Head, although I daresay he might not be so cool as when he started in the morning. I know that he would be out of humour with our people, for he had some dispute with my father, old Cone tells me. Whether it was about the price of corn, or a pig, or the points of a horse, is known only to themselves, but they parted in a bad temper. You will see that your uncle will not bear me malice on that account. Did he say anything else?’
‘Yes.’ Her lips trembled a little and she did not seem disposed to continue.
‘Well, out with it,’ he exclaimed cheerfully.