She had not yet left her room, but had
been a few hours on the couch every day for a fortnight, and the
doctor, now sanguine of her final recovery, began to talk of
carrying her to the library. The earl, who never suspected that Mrs.
Brookes, having hitherto kept himself from her room, would admit the
tutor, the moment he learned that the library was in view for her,
decided that there must be no more delay. He had by this time
contrived a neat little plan.
He sent for Donal. He had been thinking, the earl said, that he must
want a holiday: he had not seen his parents since he came to the
castle! and he had been thinking besides, how desirable it was that
Davie should see some other phases of life than those to which he
had hitherto been accustomed. There was great danger of boys brought
up in his position getting narrow, and careless of the lives and
feelings of their fellowmen! He would take it as a great kindness if
Donal, who had a regard to the real education of his pupil, would
take him to his home, and let him understand the ways of life among
the humbler classes of the nation--so that, if ever he went into
parliament, he might have the advantage of knowing the heart of the
people for whom he would have to legislate.
Donal listened, and could not but agree with the remarks of his
lordship. In himself he had not the least faith--wondered indeed
which of them thought the other the greater fool to imagine that
after all that had passed Donal would place any confidence in what
the earl said; but he listened.
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