CHAPTER XVI.
AT MRS. ROMAINE'S.
The reason why Caspar Brooke spoke somewhat sharply to Lesley was not far to seek. He had been to Mrs. Romaine's house to tea. The sequence of cause and effect can easily be conjectured.
"How charmingly your daughter sang!" Mrs. Romaine began, when she had got Mr. Brooke into his favorite corner, and given him a cup of her best China tea.
"Yes, she sang very well," said Brooke, carelessly.
"I had no idea that she could sing! Why, by the bye—did you not tell me that she said she was not musical?—declined singing lessons, and so on?"
"Yes, I think I said so. Yes, she did."
"She must be very modest!" said Mrs. Romaine, lifting her eyebrows.
"I don't know—I fancy she did not want to be indebted to me for more than she could help."