I--I liked her very much, and
I shouldn't want she should think I didn't appreciate her
invitation."
"I will tell her," said the minister. "I had no great hope you would
see your way to accepting it. But she will be glad to know that you
received it." He added, rather interrogatively than affirmatively,
"In the right spirit."
"Oh yes," said Lemuel. "Please to tell her I did."
"Thank you," said Sewell, with bland vagueness. "I don't know that
I've asked yet where you are staying at present?"
"I'm at Mrs. Nash's, 13 Canary Place. Mrs. Harmon went there first."
"Oh! And are you looking forward to rejoining her in a new place?"
"I don't know as I am. I don't know as I should want to go into an
hotel again."
Sewell manifested a little embarrassment. "Well, you won't forget
your promise to let me be of use to you--pecuniarily, if you should
be in need of a small advance at any time."
"Oh no! But I've got enough money for a while yet--till I can get
something to do." He rose, and after a moment's hesitation he said,
"I don't know as I want you should say anything to that fellow about
me. To Mr. Berry, I mean."
"Oh! certainly not," said Sewell, "if you don't wish it."
Whatever it was in that reticent and elusive soul which prompted his
request, the minister now felt that he could not know; but perhaps
the pang that Lemuel inflicted on himself had as much transport as
anguish in it.
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