"Superiority of what kind?" said Charlton, stiffly.
"Of any kind superiority of wealth, or refinement, or name, or standing. Now, it does not follow that an Englishman is proud because he keeps liveried servants, and it by no means follows that an American lacks the essence of haughtiness because he finds fault with him for doing so."
"I dare say some of our neighbours think we are proud," said Hugh, "because we use silver forks instead of steel."
"Because we're _too good for steel forks_, you ought to say," said Fleda. "I am sure they think so. I have been given to understand as much. Barby, I believe, has a good opinion of us, and charitably concludes that we mean right; but some other of our country friends would think I was far gone in uppishness if they knew that I never touch fish with a steel knife; and it wouldn't mend the matter much to tell them that the combination of flavours is disagreeable to me it hardly suits the doctrine of liberty and equality that my palate should be so much nicer than theirs."
"Very," said Fleda; "but on which side, in all probability, is the pride?"
"It wasn't for liveried servants that I charged Mr. Carleton," said her cousin. "How do the Evelyns like this paragon of yours?"
"Oh, everybody likes him, " said Fleda, smiling, "except you and your friend, Mr. Thorn."
"What do you suppose is the reason?" said Charlton, gravely.
"I don't think Mr. Thorn is particularly apt to like anybody," said Fleda, who knew very well the original cause of both exceptions, but did not like to advert to it.
"Apparently you don't like Mr. Thorn?" said Mr. Rossitur, speaking for the first time.
"I don't know who does, Sir, much except his mother."
"A man not wanting in parts, Sir, and with considerable force of character but I am afraid more for ill than good. I should be very sorry to trust him with anything dear to me."
"How long were you in forming that opinion?" said Charlton, looking at her curiously.
"It was formed, substantially, the first evening I saw him, and I have never seen cause to alter it since."
The several members of the family therewith fell into a general muse, with the single exception of Hugh, whose eyes and thoughts seemed to be occupied with Fleda's living presence. Mr. Rossitur then requested that breakfast might be ready very early at six o'clock.