I
was glad of this old-world eccentricity now, and placed my guilty letter,
that, amidst all my hypocrisies, spoke out with terrible frankness, deep
in this receptacle, and having hid away the pen and ink, my accomplices, I
opened the door, and resumed my careless looks, awaiting Madame's return.
'I was to demand to Mr. Ruthyn the permission to go to Feltram, and I think
he will allow. He want to speak to you.'
With Madame I entered my uncle's room. He was reclining on a sofa, his back
towards us, and his long white hair, as fine as spun glass, hung over the
back of the couch.
'I was going to ask you, dear Maud, to execute two or three little
commissions for me in Feltram.'
My dreadful letter felt lighter in my pocket, and my heart beat violently.
'But I have just recollected that this is a market-day, and Feltram will
be full of doubtful characters and tipsy persons, so we must wait till
to-morrow; and Madame says, very kindly, that she will, as she does not
so much mind, make any little purchases to-day which cannot conveniently
wait.'
Madame assented with a courtesy to Uncle Silas, and a great hollow smile to
me.
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