"Not dance with him!" exclaimed she, with the prettiest air of surprise in the world. "Why, I would sooner dance with him than any one else—he is the best waltzer in the room." "And I am the worst" interrupted Arthur angrily, conscious of his own unjustifiable deficiency in that important accomplishment.
"But that you take what to you doth belong
It were a fault to snatch words off my tongue,"
maliciously quoted the lady. "Well, at all events," said Ralegh, looking as angry as a gentleman well could do, "you shall not be troubled with me; I will not dance with you!" "Truly, that will be a loss!" cried Edith; "why I shall never get over the disappointment! Well, well, I must see how charming I can make myself. Perhaps Captain Delaford may ask me a second time." "And there he comes, Madam!" exclaimed Arthur, who saw the very gentleman in question gallopping up the avenue. No pleasant sight, for he looked remarkably well on horseback, and the lover saw, or fancied that he saw, Edith watching admiringly. Had he looked a little closer he would have seen that her eyes were filled with tears, and that she had only turned aside to conceal them. But Arthur was too angry to observe. "I will not interrupt your téte à tête, Madam. I now understand why it was too hot to ride with me this morning;" and without waiting for an answer, he sprang from the terrace, and was soon lost to sight among the coppices below. Edith remained to do the honours to her visitor with what grace she might. But anger gave her spirit, and she contented herself with turning in mind the dignified resentment she would display when they met at dinner.
