"
His own eyes sparkled like hot coals at this Bohemian picture.
Then he sighed and returned to civilization. "But," said he, "be ready
with eighty thousand pounds for him, that he may enjoy his own way and
join you in barring the entail. I forgot, I must say no more on that
subject; I see it is as offensive--as it is inevitable. Cassandra has
spoken wisely, and, I see, in vain. God bless you both--good-night."
And he rolled out of the room with a certain clumsy importance.
Sir Charles treated all this advice with a polite forbearance while he
was in the room, but on his departure delivered a sage reflection.
"Strange," said he, "that a man so valuable in any great emergency
should be so extravagant and eccentric in the ordinary affairs of life.
I might as well drive to Bellevue House and consult the first gentleman
I met there."
Lady Bassett did not reply immediately, and Sir Charles observed that
her face was very red and her hands trembled.
"Why, Bella," said he, "has all that rhodomontade upset you?"
Lady Bassett looked frightened at his noticing her agitation, and said
that Mr. Rolfe always overpowered her. "He is so large, and so
confident, and throws such new light on things."
"New light! Wild eccentricity always does that; but it is the light of
Jack-o'-lantern.
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