"Hum!--she is very kind." said Mr. Ringgan, with a look of grave and not unmoved consideration which Fleda did not in the least like;--"How long will you stay at Montepoole, sir?"
It might be several days, Mr. Carleton said.
"Hum--You have given up this day to Fleda, Mr. Carleton,--suppose you take to-morrow for the game, and come here and try our country fare when you have got through shooting?--you and young Mr. Rossitur?--and I'll think over this question and let you know about it."
Fleda was delighted to see that her friend accepted this invitation with apparent pleasure.
"You will be kind enough to give my respects to your mother," Mr. Ringgan went on, "and thanks for her kind offer. I may perhaps--I don't know--avail myself of it. If anything should bring Mrs. Carleton this way we should like to see her. I am glad to see my friends," he said, shaking the young gentleman's hand,--"as long as I have a house to ask 'em to!"
"That will be for many years, I trust," said Mr. Carleton respectfully, struck with something in the old gentleman's manner.
"I don't know, sir!" said Mr. Ringgan, with again the dignified look of trouble;--"it may not be!--I wish you good day, sir."
Chapter IV.
A mind that in a calm angelic mood
Of happy wisdom, meditating good,
Beholds, of all from her high powers required,
Much done, and much designed, and more desired.
Wordsworth.