"Oh, he does!" said Mac-Morlan Yes, yes, I can understand that better.—And pray, Mr. Sampson, are these three hours entirely spent in construing and translating?"
"Doubtless, no—we have also colloquial intercourse to sweeten study—neque semper arcum tendit Apollo."
The querist proceeded to elicit from this Galloway Phoebus what their discourse chiefly turned upon.
"Upon our past meetings at Ellangowan—and, truly, I think very often we discourse concerning Miss Lucy—for Mr. Charles Hazlewood, in that particular, resembleth me, Mr. Mac-Morlan. When I begin to speak of her I never know when to stop—and, as I say (jocularly), she cheats us out of half our lessons."
"Oh ho!" thought Mr. Mac-Morlan, "sits the wind in that quarter?
I've heard something like this before."
He then began to consider what conduct was safest for his protege, and even for himself; for the senior Mr. Hazlewood was powerful, wealthy, ambitious, and vindictive, and looked for both fortune and title in any connection which his son might form. At length, having the highest opinion of his guest's good sense and penetration, he determined to take an opportunity, when they should happen to be alone, to communicate the matter to her as a simple piece of intelligence. He did so in as natural a manner as he could;—"I wish you joy of your friend Mr. Sampson's good fortune, Miss Bertram; he has got a pupil who pays him two guineas for twelve lessons of Greek and Latin."
"Indeed!—I am equally happy and surprised—who can be so liberal?—is Colonel Mannering returned?"
"No, no, not Colonel Mannering; but what do you think of your acquaintance, Mr. Charles Hazlewood?—He talks of taking his lessons here—I wish we may have accommodation for him."
Lucy blushed deeply. "For Heaven's sake, no, Mr. Mac-Morlan—do not let that be—Charles Hazlewood has had enough of mischief about that already."
"About the classics, my dear young lady?" wilfully seeming to misunderstand her;—"most young gentlemen have so at one period or another, sure enough, but his present studies are voluntary."