Page:The Author of Beltraffio, The Middle Years, Greville Fane, and Other Tales (London, Macmillan & Co., 1922).djvu/389

FORDHAM CASTLE acknowledgment of her having touched him. "What you ask me, you know, is just what I myself was going to ask. What has Miss Magaw got against you?"

"Well, if you were to see her I guess you'd know."

"Why I should think she'd like to show you," said Abel Taker.

"She doesn't so much mind their seeing me—when once she has had a look at me first. But she doesn't like them to hear me—though I don't talk so very much. Mattie speaks in the real English style," Mrs. Magaw explained.

"But ain't the real English style not to speak at all?"

"Well, she's having the best kind of time, she writes me—so I presume there must be some talk in which she can shine."

"Oh I've no doubt at all Miss Magaw talks!" and Abel, in his contemplative way, seemed to have it before him.

"Well, don't you go and believe she talks too much," his companion rejoined with spirit; and this it was that brought to a head his prevision of his own fate.

"I see what's going to happen. You only want to go to her. You want to get your share, after all. You'll leave me without a pang."

Mrs. Magaw stared. "But won't you be going too? When Mrs. Taker sends for you?"

He shook, as by a rare chance, a competent head. "Mrs. Taker won't send for me. I don't make out the use Mrs. Taker can ever have for me again."

Mrs. Magaw looked grave. "But not to enjoy your seeing?"

"My seeing where she has come out? Oh that won't be necessary to her enjoyment of it. It would be well enough perhaps if I could see without being seen; but the trouble with me—for I'm worse than 369