You will admit this yourself, Sir George Templemore?"
"By no means: in England, now, I consider America to be particularly well
esteemed."
Eve held up her pretty hands, and even Mademoiselle Viefville, usually so
well-toned and self-restrained, gave a visible shrug.
"Sir George means in his country," dryly observed John Effingham.
"Perhaps the parties would better understand each other," said Paul,
coolly, "were Sir George Templemore to descend to particulars. He belongs
himself to the liberal school, and may be considered a safe witness."
"I shall be compelled to protest against a cross-examination on such a
subject," returned the baronet, laughing. "You will be satisfied, I am
certain, with my simple declaration. Perhaps we still regard the Americans
as _tant soit peu_ rebels; but that is a feeling that will soon cease."
"That is precisely the point on which I think liberal Englishman usually
do great justice to America, while it is on other points that they betray
a national dislike."
"England believes America hostile to herself; and if love creates love,
dislike creates dislike."
"This is at least something like admitting the truth of the charge, Miss
Effingham," said John Effingham, smiling, "and we may dismiss the accused.
It is odd enough that England should consider America as rebellious, as is
the case with many Englishmen, I acknowledge, while, in truth, England
herself was the rebel, and this, too, in connexion with the very questions
that produced the American revolution.
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