LORD OF MANY SECRETS

SIXTY

Meanwhile, Miss Tellaro's days continued to be so fully occupied that she had little leisure for missing her brother. She received two more offers of marriage, both of which she civilly declined; sat to have her portrait taken by Hopper at the earnest solicitation of her cousin, and twice went to the play in the company of her guardian. He said nothing to annoy her on either of these occasions, but on the contrary talked so much like a sensible man, and saw to her comfort in such a practiced manner, that she was quite in charity with him, and could thank him for two pleasant evenings with perfect sincerity.

"You have nothing to thank me for", he returned. "Do you think I have not had a great deal of pleasure in your company?"

She smiled. "I have not been used to hear you say things so prettily, Lord Clements".

"No, nor have I been used to fine my ward so amiable", he replied.

She held up her finger. "Do not let us be recalling past differences, if you please! I am determined not to quarrel with you, it is useless to provoke me".

He looked amused. "Ever, Miss Tellaro?"

"Oh, as to that, there is no saying, to be sure! Tonight I am your guest, and must accord you a little extraordinary civility, tomorrow I may a***e you with a clear conscience".

"Indeed do you mean to do so? Have you received another offer of marriage for my to refuse without consulting you?"

She shook her head. "I hold it to be a bad thing for any female to talk of the offers she may have received", she said briefly.

"Your opinion does you honor, but you may confide in me with perfect propriety. I perceive that you have received several. Why do you look so grave?"

She raised her eyes to his face, and found that he was watching her with a softened expression, which might almost have believed to be sympathy, had she not been persuaded that he knew nothing of so gentle an emotion. She said in a responding tone, "it is quite true. I have received numerous offers, but there is nothing to boast of in that, for I think not one of them would have been made had I not been possessed of a large fortune."

He replied coolly, "none I imagine".

There's was no vestige of sympathy in his voice. If her spirits stood in need of support in this matter of fact tone was no bad thing. She was obliged to smile, though she said with a faint smile. "it is a melancholy thought".

"I cannot agree with you. Being born to a handsome independence you have all the consequence of being the most sought after young woman in Rome".

"Yes", she said rather sadly, "but to be sought after for one's fortune is not a great compliment. You laugh at me, but in this respect I must think myself most uncomfortably circumstanced".

"Depend upon it, your fortune will not frighten away an honest man", he replied.

"Why, no, that is left for you to do", she said playfully.

He smiled. "I will not allow it to have been so. I have frightened away fortune hunters, and you should be grateful to me".

"Perhaps I am. But I am quite at a loss to know why, having said that you will not consent to my marriage while I am your ward, you raise no objection to Parte's engaging himself".

"Miss Mamala seems to be an unexceptional girl. I am indulging the hope that if I ever let Patrick marry her she will relieve me of some at least of my responsibilities".

"You should reflect that my husband would relieve you of them all", she said.

The carriage had stopped in Spear Street by this time, as the door was opened the Earl said, "you are mistaken. I have no wish to be relieved of them all".

It was fortunate that in the business of being handed out if the carriage the necessity of answering should be lost. Elizabeth had no answer ready. Her guardian's words argued an attempt at gallantry, yet his manner was so far removed from the loverlike, that she was quite at a loss to understand him. She stepped down from the carriage, remarking as she did so that it now seemed to be a certain thing that Patrick would be in Rome again the following day.

He had apparently no objective to this change of subject. "Indeed! you do not fear another put-off?"

"No, I believe he may be sure of seeing him this time. One of the children, Lady Manala's youngest, had the sore throat, and they fear it may be found to be infectious. Parte is to come home".

"At what hour do you expect him?"

"I do not know, but I cannot suppose that he will be late".

The footman was holding open the front door. The Earl said, "very well, I must be glad for your sake. Good night, my ward".

"Good night, my guardian", said Miss Tellaro, giving him her hand.

Patrick arrived in Rome midway through the afternoon, in a glow of health and spirits. He had had a capital time, was sorry to have left. There was no place like the country, after all. He and Timoti Mamala had made the journey in famous time, though not without adventure. Elizabeth must remember that he had traveled into Latina in his own curricle, instead of going post. Well, as she might suppose, he had returned in the same way, and had engaged to reach town ahead of Timoti Mamala, also driving a curricle and four.

"I was driving my bays, you know. Tim had a team of greys - showy, but a trifle on the large side. Heavy brutes, very well for hilly work, I daresay, but no match for my bays. Drew ahead pretty soon, taking the Harro road, the Mamalas' place being situated, as I believe I told you, considerably to the east of St Louis. In going there I took the road through Edgwa and Eltrees, but found it to be in no good case".

"No", agreed his sister patiently. "You wrote as much to me. You were determined to come back by the Green North road. I remember my cousin being surprised at it, thinking the other way more direct".