Page:The Toll of the Bush.pdf/91

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VII
FLETCHER READS HIS LETTERS
75

Mr. Fletcher resumed his breakfast in silence, and the two girls exchanged glances.

‘They will make a beautiful couple, don’t you think?’ Mabel asked, seating herself with her hands locked on her knee in an attitude that showed off the voluptuous curves of her figure to perfection.

Mr. Fletcher stirred slightly, and his eye fell on the letters. He laid his hand on them and turned to the last speaker. Her eyes were brown and bewitching, and he looked straight into them and read their meaning.

‘Is it a fact?’ he asked, with a half smile. ‘Or is it just a conclusion drawn by lookers-on?’

‘Do you mean are they engaged?’ Winnie broke in sharply. ‘Yes; or if they are not, then they ought to be.’

Mr. Fletcher regarded her fixedly with dark, cold eyes. Then, taking his letters, he rose abruptly and left the room.

‘Bah, you flat!’ said Mabel with disgust. ‘You ought not to have said that, because it was silly, and I don’t believe it was true.’

‘He is in love with her, I suppose?’ Winnie said, clattering the dishes together passionately. ‘What do I care whether it is true? Every one is in love with her. Who are these Milwards, that they should have it all their own way?’

‘They are the biggest people here,’ Mabel replied good-humouredly; ‘and they are ladies and gentlemen. Major Milward owns half the county, and what he doesn’t own he’s got a mortgage on, and I don’t believe half these people who hold their heads so high ever pay him his interest. I’m sure we

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