The thoughtful face and pathetic expression of the boy greatly
attracted her, and in her heart she secretly wondered where her
uncle had found so intelligent and inspired-looking a creature. But
one of her UNfeminine attributes was a certain lack of curiosity
concerning other people's affairs, and an almost fastidious dislike
of asking questions on matters which did not closely concern her. So
she contented herself with giving him that smile of hers which in
itself expressed all sweetness, and saying gently,--
"You are very welcome! You must try to feel that wherever my uncle
is,--that is 'home'."
"I have felt that from the first,"--replied Manuel in his soft
musical voice, "I was all alone when my lord the Cardinal found me,-
-but with him the world seems full of friends."
Angela looked at him still more attentively; and the fascination of
his presence became intensified. She would have liked to continue
the conversation, but her uncle was fatigued by his journey, and
expressed the desire for an hour's rest. She therefore summoned a
servant to show him to the rooms prepared for his reception, whither
he went, Manuel attending him,--and when, after a little while,
Angela followed to see that all was arranged suitably for his
comfort, she found that he had retired to his bed-chamber, and that
just outside his door in a little ante-room adjoining, his "waif and
stray" was seated, reading.
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