Rocke, I will not go unless absolutely forced to do so by a
decree of the court. I shall get Doctor Williams to make an appeal
for me to the Orphans' Court," said Clara, by way of encouraging her
friend.
"My dear Miss Day, that, I hope, will not be required. Colonel Le
Noir acts under a misapprehension of the circumstances. We must
enter into more explanations with him, In the mean time, my dear
young lady, it is better that you should obey him for the present,
at least so far as retiring from the room," said Doctor Williams.
Clara immediately rose and, requesting Mrs. Rocke to accompany her,
withdrew from the library.
Doctor Williams then said;
"I advised the retirement of the young lady, having a communication
to make the hearing of which in a mixed company might have cost her
an innocent blush. But first I would ask you, Colonel Le Noir, what
are those circumstances to which you allude which render Miss Day's
residence here, in her patrimonial mansion, with her old and
faithful friends, so improper?" inquired Doctor Williams,
courteously.
"The growing intimacy, sir, between herself and a very objectionable
party--this young man Rocke!" replied Colonel Le Noir.
"Ah! and is that all?"
"It is enough, sir," said Colonel Le Noir, loftily.
"Then suppose I should inform you, sir, that this young man, Doctor
Rocke, was brought up and educated at Doctor Day's cost and under
his own immediate eye?"
"Then, sir, you would only inform me that an eccentric gentleman of
fortune had done--what eccentric gentlemen of fortune will sometimes
do--educated a pauper.
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