human
Pray, Arnold, what is meant by all this mystery?
gpt
I will explain all in a few minutes, my dear Clara. Meanwhile, have you done what you promised?
human
Yes, I wrote to Dr. Washington. He will be here, I expect, in a few minutes.
gpt
You wrote exactly in the form of words you promised me?
human
Yes, exactly. I asked him to meet me here this morning at a quarter past twelve, in order to discuss a few points connected with Iris's future arrangements, before he left for America, and I wrote on the envelope, 'Immediate and important.'
gpt
Very well. He will be sure to come, I think. Perhaps your cousin will insist upon another check for fifty pounds being given to him.
human
Arnold, you are extremely suspicious and most ungenerous about Dr. Washington, on whose truth and disinterested honesty I thoroughly rely.
gpt
We shall see. Meanwhile, Clara, I desire to present to you a young lady of whom we have already spoken. This is Miss Aglen, who is, I need hardly say, deeply anxious to win your good opinion. And this is Lala Roy, an Indian gentleman who knew her father, and has lived in the same house with her for twenty years. Our debt--I shall soon be able to say your debt--of gratitude to this gentleman for his long kindness to Miss Aglen--is one which can never be repaid.
human
Really, Arnold, you are talking in enigmas this morning. What am I to understand? What has this gentleman to do with my appointment with Dr. Washington?
gpt
My dear cousin, I am so happy this morning that I wonder I do not talk in conundrums, or rondeaux, or terza rima. It is a mere chance, I assure you. Perhaps I may break out in rhymes presently. This evening we will have fireworks in the square, roast a whole ox, invite the neighbors, and dance about a maypole. You shall lead off the dance, Clara.
human
Pray go on, Arnold. All this is very inexplicable.
gpt
I remember Mr. Farrar very well. Clara gave him her hand.
human
But I should not have known him. Why have we never met in society during all these years, Mr. Farrar?
gpt
I suppose because I have been out of society, Miss Holland, said the scholar.
human
When a man marries, and has a large family, and a small income, and grows old, and has to see the young fellows shoving him out at every point, he doesn't care much about society. I hope you are well and happy.
gpt
I am very well, and I ought to be happy, because I have recovered Claude's lost heiress, my cousin, Iris Deseret, and she is the best and most delightful of girls, with the warmest heart and the sweetest instincts of a lady by descent and birth.
human
And why do you come to see me to-day, Mr. Farrar--and with Arnold?
gpt
Because I have undertaken to answer one question presently, which Mr. Arbuthnot is to ask me. That is why I am here. Not but what it gives me the greatest pleasure to see you again, Miss Holland, after so many years.
human
Our poor Claude died in America, you know, Mr. Farrar.
gpt
So I have recently heard.
human
And left one daughter.
gpt
That also I have learned.
human
She is with me, here in this house, and has been with me for a week. You may understand, Mr. Farrar, the happiness I feel in having with me Claude's only daughter.
gpt
I have appointed this morning, at Arnold's request, Clara went on,
human
My dear Clara, said Arnold again,
gpt
I ask for nothing but patience. And that only for a few moments. As for the papers, you have them all in your possession?
human
Yes; they are locked up in my strong-box.
gpt
Do not, on any account, give them to anybody. However, after this morning you will not be asked. Have you taken as yet any steps at all for the transference of your property to--to the rightful heir?
human
Not yet.
gpt
Thank goodness! And now, Clara, I will ask you, as soon as Dr. Washington and--your cousin--are in the drawing-room, to ring the bell. You need not explain why. We will answer the summons, and we will give all the explanations that may be required.
human
I will not have my cousin vexed, Arnold.
gpt
You shall not. Your cousin shall never be vexed by me as long as I live.
human
And Dr. Washington must not be in any way offended. Consider the feelings of an American gentleman, Arnold. He is my guest.
gpt
You may thoroughly rely upon my consideration for the feelings of an American gentleman. Go; there is a knock at the door. Go to receive him, and, when both are in the room, ring the bell.