"
'That is dim sarcasm--I know it is.'
'Oh no, Elfride.'
'And then, his remarks didn't seem harsh--I mean I did not say
so.'
'He thinks you are in a frightful temper,' said Mr. Swancourt,
chuckling in undertones.
'And he will come and see me, and find the authoress as
contemptible in speech as she has been impertinent in manner. I
do heartily wish I had never written a word to him!'
'Never mind,' said Mrs. Swancourt, also laughing in low quiet
jerks; 'it will make the meeting such a comical affair, and afford
splendid by-play for your father and myself. The idea of our
running our heads against Harry Knight all the time! I cannot get
over that.'
The vicar had immediately remembered the name to be that of
Stephen Smith's preceptor and friend; but having ceased to concern
himself in the matter he made no remark to that effect,
consistently forbearing to allude to anything which could restore
recollection of the (to him) disagreeable mistake with regard to
poor Stephen's lineage and position. Elfride had of course
perceived the same thing, which added to the complication of
relationship a mesh that her stepmother knew nothing of.
The identification scarcely heightened Knight's attractions now,
though a twelvemonth ago she would only have cared to see him for
the interest he possessed as Stephen's friend. Fortunately for
Knight's advent, such a reason for welcome had only begun to be
awkward to her at a time when the interest he had acquired on his
own account made it no longer necessary.
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