Читать книгу Charles Peace, or The Adventures of a Notorious Burglar онлайн

230 страница из 895

“I shall never call her by any other. You know, Mrs. Maitland, I am but in humble circumstances, but I have enough to give my dear Aveline all she can desire, and I hope in a short time to be more prosperous.”

“Ah, as to that, riches are not everything, though many persons think they are—​I do not, however. By the way, Tom, do you know that Mr. Peace made Aveline an offer?”

“Yes, I’ve heard so; but she wouldn’t listen to him.”

“No, I candidly confess that I had rather a good opinion of him at one time—​not as a suitor for Aveline, but I thought him good-natured and kindly disposed.”

“Probably he may be so.”

“But I have very much altered my opinion with regard to him—​very much indeed,” returned the widow, with forcible emphasis.

Gatliffe refrained from offering any remark. It was evident, from his manner, that he did not want to dwell further on the subject.

Aveline now entered the room, whereupon her lover rose and embraced her.

“It is all settled, dearest,” he exclaimed, in a tone of delight. “You will learn the full particulars from Mrs. Maitland.”