A
sterling woman is she, this cousin Margaret of ours!"
I heard this, truly, not without surprise; for, in settling with my
owners, I found Rupert had drawn every cent to which he was entitled,
under the orders I had left when I last went to sea.
As Mrs. Bradfort was more than at her ease, however, had no nearer
relative than Mr. Hardinge, and was much attached to the family, I had
no difficulty in believing it true, so far as the lady's liberality
was concerned. I heartily wished Rupert had possessed more
self-respect; but he was, as he was!
"I am sorry you cannot go with us," I answered, "for I counted on you
to help amuse the Mertons--"
"The Mertons!--Why, surely, they are not going to pass the summer at
Clawbonny!"
"They quit town with us, to-morrow. Why should not the Mertons pass
the summer at Clawbonny?"
"Why, Miles, my dear boy, you know how it is with the world--how it is
with these English, in particular. They think everything of rank, you
know, and are devotees of style and appearance, and all that sort of
thing, you know, as no one understands better than myself; for I pass
most of my time in the English set, you know."
I did not _then_ understand what had come over Rupert, though it
is all plain enough to me, _now_. He had, truly enough, got into
what was then called the English set.
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