'
'So my badinage excites your temper, Monnie. Think how you _would_ feel,
then, if I had found you by the highway side, mangled by robbers, and set
my foot upon your throat, and spat in your face. But--stop this. Why have I
said this? simply to emphasize my forgiveness. See, girls, Lady Knollys and
I, cousins long estranged, forget and forgive the past, and join hands over
its buried injuries.'
'Well, _be_ it so; only let us have done with ironies and covert taunts.'
And with these words their hands were joined; and Uncle Silas, after he had
released hers, patted and fondled it with his, laughing icily and very low
all the time.
'I wish so much, dear Monica,' he said, when this piece of silent by-play
was over, 'that I could ask you to stay to-night; but absolutely I have not
a bed to offer, and even if I had, I fear my suit would hardly prevail.'
Then came Lady Knollys' invitation for Milly and me. He was very much
obliged; he smiled over it a great deal, meditating. I thought he was
puzzled; and amid his smiles, his wild eyes scanned Cousin Monica's frank
face once or twice suspiciously.
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