"I say, you do look pumped out! But don't you worry too much. My mother
and I'll see what can be done. We'll set the lawyers on, if there's
nothing else. It's a beastly shame, anyway! But now, you take it easy.
We'll look after you. Sit down, won't you? Mother's chairs are the most
comfortable in the house!"
He installed them; and then at once took the serious, business air,
which still gave his mother a pleasure which was half amusement. Felicia,
sitting in a corner behind her mother's sofa, could not take her eyes
from him. The tall, fair English youth, six foot two, and splendidly
developed, the pink of health, modesty, and kindly courtesy, was
different from all other beings that had ever swum into her view. She
watched him close and furtively--his features, his dress, his gestures;
comparing the living man in her mind with the photograph upstairs, and so
absorbed in her study of him that she scarcely heard a word of the
triangular discussion going on between her mother, Tatham, and Victoria.
The whole time she was drinking in impressions, as of a god-like
creature, all beneficence.
After an hour's cross-examination of the poor, shrinking Netta, Tatham's
blood too was up; he was eager for the fray. To attack Melrose was a joy;
made none the less keen by the reflection that to help these two helpless
ones was a duty. Lydia's approval, Lydia's sympathy were certain; he
kindled the more.
"All right!" he said, rising. "Now I think we are agreed on the first
step.
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