If either of us had felt the slightest reluctance, however
well disguised by manner, to accept this invitation, I am sure he
would have at once detected our feelings, and withdrawn it; so
jealous and chary was he of anything pertaining to the appreciation
of this beloved sister.
But if it had been to spend an evening at the dentist's, I believe I
should have welcomed the invitation, so weary was I of the monotony
of the nights in our lodgings; and as for Miss Duncan, an invitation
to tea was of itself a pure and unmixed honour, and one to be
accepted with all becoming form and gratitude: so Mr. Dawson's sharp
glances over his spectacles failed to detect anything but the truest
pleasure, and he went on.
"You'll find it very dull, I dare say. Only a few old fogies like
myself, and one or two good sweet young women: I never know who'll
come. Margaret is obliged to lie in a darkened room--only half-
lighted I mean,--because her eyes are weak,--oh, it will be very
stupid, I dare say: don't thank me till you've been once and tried
it, and then if you like it, your best thanks will be to come again
every Monday, from half-past seven to nine, you know.
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