Trouble brewing, trouble sooner or later. But why had
Briggs's telegram acted on the lady like a blow? If she had turned
pale from excess of joy, then trouble was nearer than he had supposed.
She was not pale now; she was more like her name than he had yet seen
her. Well, he was the man for trouble. He regretted, of course, that
people should get into it, but being in he was their man.
And Mr. Wilkins, invigorated by these thoughts, his career being
very precious to him, proceeded to assist in doing the honours to Mr.
Briggs, both in his quality of sharer in the temporary ownership of San
Salvatore and of probable helper out of difficulties, with great
hospitality, and pointed out the various features of the place to him,
and led him to the parapet and showed him Mezzago across the bay.
Mrs. Fisher too was gracious. This was this young man's house.
He was a man of property. She liked property, and she liked men of
property. Also there seemed a peculiar merit in being a man of
property so young. Inheritance, of course; and inheritance was more
respectable than acquisition. It did indicate fathers; and in an age
where most people appeared neither to have them nor to want them she
liked this too.
Accordingly it was a pleasant meal, with everybody amiable and
pleased.
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