"He was a sinister-looking old fellow," ended Colonel Norton, "and I
should think not very particular; but I should be glad to hear that
he had done justice to poor Allen's daughter. He was written to when
she was left an orphan, but vouchsafed no answer."
"Still he may have kept an eye upon you," added Uncle Robert. "I do
not think it was new to him that you had married into our family."
"If only those unfortunate boys have not ruined everything," sighed
Ellen.
"Little Elvira's father must have been one of those cousins," said
Caroline. "I wonder what became of the others? She must be-—let me
see-—my second cousin."
"Not very near," said Ellen.
"I never had a blood relation before since my old aunt died. I am so
glad that brilliant child belongs to me!"
"I daresay old Gould could tell you more," said the Colonel.
"Is it wise to revive the connection?" asked his wife.
"The Goulds are not likely to presume," said the Colonel; "and I
think that if Caroline takes up the one connection, she is bound to
take up the other."
"How am I to make up to this cross old man?" said Carey. "I can't go
and fawn on him."
"Certainly not," said her brother-in-law; "but I think you ought to
make some advance, merely as a relation.
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