Page:Gaskell - North and South, vol. II, 1855.djvu/251

 "Frederick!" exclaimed Mr. Thornton, "Who is he? What righ—?" He stopped short in his vehement question.

"Frederick," said Mr. Bell in surprise. "Why don't you know? He's her brother. Have you not heard—"

"I never heard his name before. Where is he? Who is he?"

"Surely I told you about him, when the family first came to Milton—the son who was concerned in that mutiny."

"I never heard of him till this moment. Where does he live?"

"In Spain. He's liable to be arrested the moment he sets foot on English ground. Poor fellow! he will grieve at not being able to attend his father's funeral. We must be content with Captain Lennox; for I don't know of any other relation to summon."

I hope I may be allowed to go?"

"Certainly; thankfully. You're a good fellow, after all, Thornton. Hale liked you. He spoke to me, only the other day, about you at Oxford. He regretted he had seen so little of you lately. I am obliged to you for wishing to show him respect."

"But about Frederick. Does he never come to England?"

"Never."

"He was not over here about the time of Mrs. Hale's death?"

"No. Why, I was here then. I had'nt seen Hale for years and years: and, if you remember, I came— No, it was some time after that that I came.