“It is terrible to hear her. She does not cry, she merely moans. . . . You will have some tea?”
“I would like some tea,” he answered. “I am very tired.”
He felt much refreshed. Miss Archer had discrimination, and evidently was a good housekeeper.
“You stay in town for some time?” he asked. “Miss Archer, are you not the hansom girl? Mr. George told me about it, I remember. It applies to you both with and without a ‘d’.”
“I have taken a house at Shelton, and as Miss Cooper is so wretched I intend to take her there.”
“No; I am sorry for her. She is my friend.”
“Ah, that is better. Will you not be sorry for me? I, too, am alone, and sometimes lonely.”
She had never associated any frivolity with the Member for Hackney. He was one of those mysterious men who assisted in the governing of the country, and as such beyond much emotion. She looked at him.
“We often want what we do not need. I want more tea, it is not good for me, I do not need it.”
“If you would. I had forgotten Mrs. Cooper, her mother. You could interview her for me. She may hear Sylvia is ill. I do not want her to come to see her daughter. Mrs. Cooper would believe you. She is an old lady who believes in a man’s opinion.”
“‘Man was made in the image of God.’ She believes it still?”
“Yes,” said Launa, “and she accepts with thankfulness ideas from any man.”
“If she were a young woman this might be attractive and new. I will go to see this Adamite. What must I say?”
“Headache and weariness for disease; absolute quiet and rest for the remedies,” he replied. “I quite understand. May I come again? Above all I would like to be with you at Shelton.”
“I could wish you would not—could not express it so easily. Where does this lady live?”
He sighed. The prospect of the long drive did not cheer him.
“You will take my brougham. I have ordered it for you.”
“Thank you,” he replied, and let his glance say more.
The Colonies were interesting. It was the year of new fishery arrangements with America and France. The Member for Hackney made a point of knowing all about them. He intended to ask Launa for information; he felt singularly elated at the prospect of seeing her again.
He was not particularly fond of fishing nor of bills, but information on all subjects was acceptable to him. He prided himself on knowing the views of the people for whom he was legislating.