"How fast they are making friends," thought she,
mistaking an armistice for an alliance.
"Since the place is so fortunate as to please you, you will stay a
week with me, madam, at least."
"A week! No, Mr. Fountain; I really admire your courtesy too much to
abuse it."
"Not at all; you will oblige me."
"I cannot bring myself to think so."
"You may believe me. I have a selfish motive."
"Oh, if you are in earnest."
"I will explain. If you are my guest for a week, that will give me a
claim to be yours in turn." And he bent a keen look upon the lady, as
much as to say, "Now I shall see whether you dare let me spy on you as
you are doing on me."
"I propose an amendment," said Mrs. Bazalgette, with a merry air of
defiance: "for every day I enjoy here you must spend two beneath my
roof. On this condition, I will stay a week at Font Abbey."
"I consent," said Mr. Fountain, a little sharply. He liked the
bargain. "I must leave you to Lucy for a minute; I have some orders to
give. I like _my_ guests to be comfortable." With this he retired
to his study and pondered. "What is she here for? it is not affection
for Lucy; that is all my eye, a selfish toad like her. (How agreeable
she can make herself, though.) She heard I was out, and came here to
spy directly. That was sharp practice. Better not give her a chance of
seeing my game. I disarmed her suspicion by asking her to stay a week,
aha! Well, during that week Talboys must not come, that is all; aha!
my lady, I won't give those cunning eyes of yours a chance of looking
over my hand.
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