The last word elevated and brought out with emphatic distinctness of utterance.
If the demand had been whether the gentleman in question was a follower of Mahomet, it would hardly have been more impossible for Fleda to give an affirmative answer; but Mr. Carleton laughed and bringing his face a little nearer the old crone, answered,
"So she has promised, ma'am."
"Is this the gentleman that's to be your husband?"
It was curious to see the lines of the old woman's face relax as she looked at him.
"He's--worthy of you!--as far as looks goes," she said in the same key as before, apostrophizing Fleda who had drawn back, but not stirring her eyes from Mr. Carleton all the time. And then she added to him with a little satisfied nod, and in a very decided tone of information,
"She will make you a good wife!"
"Because she has made a good friend?" said Mr. Carleton quietly. "Will you let me be a friend too?"
He had turned the old lady's thoughts into a golden channel, whence, as she was an American, they had no immediate issue in words; and Fleda and Mr. Carleton left the house without anything more.