The Morning herald., 1876-12-21
CORD AND CRRESB.
CHAPTER XIII:
TH8 BADINAGE OF OLD FRIENDS.


Gree from observation" said Despard
"Quiet" rejoined Mrs. Thornton.
"Foetic."
"Remote."
"Unfriended."
Solitary"
"Slow."
"And, best of all, hitherto untried."
eyes, its novelty is undeniable."
$50 much sc" said Mas. Thornton, "tha
it itoverwhelms one. 1t is bright, origina
idea, and in the days of commonplace is il
not creditable? The idea is mine, Sir, and
Twill match it with your-what?-youl
Symbolical Nature Of the Mosaic Cos
mogony."
Economy"
"But Cosmogony is better. Allow me
to suggest it by way Of a change"
ut must be so, since you say it; but
have weakness for the word Economy
1t is derived from the Greek"
Greek" exclaimed Mrs. Thornton
raising. her hand. "You surely are moi
going to be so ungenerous as to quote
Greek! Am l not lady? Will you be
30 base as to take me at disadvantage in
that way?"
Il am thoroughly ash emed Of myself
and you may consider that a tacit apology
isgoing on within my mind whenever
see you"
"You are forgiven" said Mrs. Thornton.
II can not conceive how | could have
50 far forgotten myself. l do not usually
speak Greek to ladies. l consider it my
duty to make myself agreeable. And you
have no idea how agreeable can make
myself, if l try"
II? Ihave no idea? Is it you who say
that, and to me| exclaimed Mrs. Thorn
ton, in that slight melodramatic tone which
she had employed thus far, somewhat ex-
aggerated. "After what | told you-of my
feelings?"
81 see l shall have to devote all the rest
ofmy life to making apologies"
"No. Do not apologies. Avoid your
besetting sins. Otherwise, fond as | am Of
you'-and she spoke with exaggerated
solemnity-"I must regard you as "a fai-
lure"
The conversation went on uninterrupt-
edly in this style for some time. 1t ap-
peared to suit each Of them. Despard's
face, naturally grave, assisted him toward
maintaining the most-serious tone which
ne chose to adopt; and Mrs. Thornton s
peculiar style of face gaye her the same adj
vantage. 1t pleased each to express for
the other an exaggerated sentiment of re-
gard. They considered it banter and badi-
mage. How far it was safe was another
thing. But they had known one another
years before, and were only resuming the
manner of earlier times.
Yet after all, was it safe for the grave
Rector of Hobby to adopt the inflated style
OF OF a troubadour in addressing the lady Of
Thornton Grange? Neither Of them
thought of it. They simply improved the
shining hour after this fashion, until at
length the conversation was interrupted
by the opening Of folding doors, and the
entrance of servant who anounced-din-
ner
On entering the dining-room Despard
was greeted with respectful formality by
the master OF the house. He was a man Of
about forty, with the professional air of
the lawyer about him, and an abstracted
expression of face, such as usually belongs
to one who is deeply engrossed in the cares
Of business. His tone, in spite of It's friend
Illness, was naturally stiff, and was in
marked contrast to the warmth OF Mrs.
Ihornton's greeting.
"How do you like your new quarters?'
he asked, as they sat down.
"Very well," said Despard. "lt is more
my home, you know, than any other place.
lived there so many years as school boy
with Mr.. Carson that it seems natural to
take up my station there as holne."
Mr.. Thornton relapsed into his abstrac-
ton while Despard was speaking, who di-
rrected the remainder of his conversation to
Mrs. Thornton.
1t was light, idle chat, in the same tone
a. that in which they had before indulged.
Once or twice, at some unusually extrava-
CANT remark, Mr.. Thornton looked up in
perplexity, which was not lessened on see-
Ing their perfect gravity.
Toey had a long discussion as to the
meaning of the phrase 'the day after to-
morrow" Despard asserted that it meant
lhe same as eternal duration, aud insisted
That it must be so, since when tomorrow
came the day after it was still coming, and
When that came there was still the day af-
Yer. He supported his theory with SO
much earnestness that Thornton, after list
Senlng for while, took the trouble to 60
heavily and at leugth into the whole ques-
Jlen and - hon ot
Despard. ~ 7F's
Then the subject q paltia came pr.