"
"I have promised not to be his enemy in the matter, and I shall keep my
word."
"So you may, Harry, with perfect safety. I am much obliged to him for
his good opinion; but"--she paused.
"What do you stop at, Maria?"
"I was only about to add," she replied, "that I wish it was mutual."
"You wish it," he exclaimed. "What do you mean by that, Maria?"
She laughed. "Don't you know it is only a form of speech? a polite way
of saying that he does not rank high in my esteem?"
"Well, well," he replied, "settle that matter between you; perhaps the
devil is not so black as he's painted."
"A very unhappy illustration," said his sister, "whatever has put it
into your head.'
"Faith, and I don't know what put it there. However, all I can say in
the matter I have already said. I am not, nor shall I be, his enemy.
I'll trouble you, as you're near it, to touch the bell till George gets
the horse. I am going up to his father's, now. Shall I tell him that
John Wallace is discarded; that he will be received with smiles, and
that--"
"How can you be so foolish, Harry?"
"Well, good-bye, at any rate. You are perfectly capable of deciding for
yourself, Maria."
"I trust so," she replied. "There's George with your horse now."
"It's a blue look-up, Master Hycy," said Clinton to himself as he took
his way to Burke's.
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