Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 18).pdf/20

230 instance, however, she had been wrong, for when Felix reached the door of his own room, Mrs. Baker was coming out of it.

'I was just looking if everything was right,' said she. 'It seems natural to me to come and look after you, you know.'

'And it is quite as natural to me to be looked after.'

'Is it though? But the worst of you gentlemen when you get well is that one has done with you. You go away, and then there's no more about it. I always begrudge to see you get well for that reason.'

'When you have a man in your power you like to keep him there.'

'That's always the way with the women you know. I hope we shall see one of them tying you by the leg altogether before long.'

'I don't know anything about that,' said Felix, sheepishly.

'Don't you? Well, if you don't I suppose nobody don't. But nevertheless I did hear a little bird say eh! Mr. Graham.'

'Those little birds are the biggest liars in the world.'

'Are they now? Well perhaps they are. And how do you think our Miss Madeline is looking? She wasn't just well for one short time after you went away.'

'Has she been ill?'

'Well, not ill; not so that she came into my hands. She's looking herself again now, isn't she?'

'She is looking, as she always does, uncommonly well.'

'Do you remember how she used to come and say a word to you standing at the door? Dear heart! I'll be bound now I care more for her than you do.'

'Do you?' said Graham.

'Of course I do. And then how angry her ladyship was with me,—as though it were my fault. I didn't do it. Did I, Mr. Graham? But, Lord love you, what's the use of being angry? My lady ought to have remembered her own young days, for it was just the same thing with her. She had her own way, and so will Miss Madeline.' And then with some further inquiries as to his fire, his towels, and his sheets, Mrs. Baker took herself off.

Felix Graham had felt a repugnance to taking the gossiping old woman openly into his confidence, and yet he had almost asked her whether he might in truth count upon Madeline's love. Such at any rate had been the tenour of his gossiping; but nevertheless he was by no means certified. He had the judge's assurance in allowing him to be there; he had the assurance given to him by Augustus in the few words spoken to him at the door that evening; and he ought to have known that he had received sufficient assurance from Madeline herself. But in truth he knew nothing of the kind. There are men who are much too forward in believing that they are regarded with favour; but there are others of whom it may be said that they are as much too backward. The world hears most of the