I suppose I looked very much affrighted. If I had been looking at a ghost I
could not have felt much more scared and incredulous.
When I was able to turn my eyes upon my uncle he was not looking at me; but
with a glimmer of that smile with which a father looks on a son whose youth
and comeliness he admires, his white face was turned towards the young man,
in whom I beheld nothing but the image of odious and dreadful associations.
'Come, sir,' said my uncle, we must not be too modest. Here's your cousin
Maud--what do you say?'
'How are ye, Miss?' he said, with a sheepish grin.
'Miss! Come, come. Miss us, no Misses,' said my uncle; 'she is Maud, and
you Dudley, or I mistake; or we shall have you calling Milly, madame.
She'll not refuse you her hand, I venture to think. Come, young gentleman,
speak for yourself.'
'How are ye, Maud?' he said, doing his best, and drawing near, he extended
his hand.' You're welcome to Bartram-Haugh, Miss.'
'Kiss your cousin, sir. Where's your gallantry? On my honour, I disown
you,' exclaimed my uncle, with more energy than he had shown before.
With a clumsy effort, and a grin that was both sheepish and impudent, he
grasped my hand and advanced his face.
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