书城公版LITTLE NOVELS
5418000000149

第149章 MR. COSWAY AND THE LANDLADY.(24)

"You will be near enough to London to attend to your business at the Admiralty," said Mr. Atherton, "and you will meet a visitor at my house, who is one of the most charming girls in England--the only daughter of the great Mr. Restall. Good heavens! have you never heard of him? My dear sir, he's one of the partners in the famous firm of Benshaw, Restall, and Benshaw."Cosway was wise enough to accept this last piece of information as quite conclusive. The next day, Mrs. Atherton presented him to the charming Miss Restall; and Mrs. Atherton's young married daughter (who had been his playfellow when they were children)whispered to him, half in jest, half in earnest: "Make the best use of your time; she isn't engaged yet."Cosway shuddered inwardly at the bare idea of a second marriage.

Was Miss Restall the sort of woman to restore his confidence?