He wrote to invite Hugh to his house in a tone of cordiality which
astonished his daughter; and when the guest arrived, the genial welcome
of the host had but one defect--Mr. Henley overacted his part. He gave
the two young people perpetual opportunities of speaking to each other
privately; and, on the principle that none are so blind as those who
won't see, he failed to discover that the relations between them
continued to be relations of friendship, do what he might. Hugh's long
attendance on his dying father had left him depressed in spirits; Iris
understood him, and felt for him. He was not ready with his opinion of
the new maid, after he had seen Fanny Mere. "My inclination," he said,
"is to trust the girl. And yet, I hesitate to follow my
inclination--and I don't know why."
When Hugh's visit came to an end, he continued his journey in a
northerly direction. The property left to him by his father included a
cottage, standing in its own grounds, on the Scotch shore of the Solway
Firth. The place had been neglected during the long residence of the
elder Mr. Mountjoy on the Continent. Hugh's present object was to
judge, by his own investigation, of the necessity for repairs.
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