But do not be afraid; I am sufficiently
afraid to be on my guard.
"My father was a rich man, and left my mother more than enough; there was
no occasion for her to marry again, except she loved, and I am sure she
did not love lord Cairnedge. I wish, for my sake, not for his, he were
alive now. But the moment, I am one and twenty, I shall be my own master,
and hope, sir, you will not count me unworthy to be the more Belorba's
servant. One thing I am determined upon: my mother shall not cross my
threshold but at my wife's invitation; and I shall never ask my wife to
invite her. She is too dangerous.
"We had another altercation about Miss Miles, an hour or two before I
first saw Orba. They were far from worthy feelings that possessed me up
to the moment when I caught sight of her over the wall. It was a leap out
of hell into paradise. The glimpse of such a face, without shadow of
scheme or plan or selfish end, was salvation to me. I thank God!"
Perhaps I ought not to let those words about myself stand, but he said
them.
He had talked too long. He fell back in his chair, and the tears began to
gather in his eyes. My uncle rose, put his arm about me, and led me to
the study.
"Let him rest a bit, little one," he said as we entered. "It is long
since we had a good talk!"
He seated himself in his think-chair--a name which, when a child, I had
given it, and I slid to the floor at his feet.
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