“Aversion, Miss Elsie, is said by Webster to mean dislike, disapproval, detestation, repugnance, antipathy, abhorrence, loathing, etc., and so on. I trust you understand me now,” and he looked down on the flushing face with a marked little smile of triumph.
“The definitions are all a blank to me, and relate to nothing with which I am familiar.”
“Let me enlighten you, then. Do you think I am not aware that I drove you from the house this afternoon, and Lizzette’s delicious dinner? I am truly sorry that my mere unexpected presence in that little house should have been productive of so much mischief. I assure you I am not half as bad as I look, and I feel as penitent as a small boy who is caught stealing apples, and just about as guilty.”
Elsie sat with her face turned toward the window and made no reply. Not to be balked, Herbert went on:
“I never enjoyed—or would have enjoyed but for the unlucky fact of your displeasure—anything so much as acquaintance with your sister and the atmosphere of Lizzette’s little home. It is something new to me, and I am not so case-hardened as to be wholly insensible to it.” Still Elsie vouchsafed no word as he paused in evident expectation.
“Well, if I am to have all this conversation to myself, I shall take the liberty of saying just what I think. I think a certain Miss Elsie Murchison is decidedly unreasonable, and is determined that the culprit’s sentence shall be a severer one than he deserves. She will not even permit him to plead his cause. Nevertheless, as he is satisfied of its justice he proposes to go on. The brother of Mrs. Helen Mason, an acknowledged leader of the haut ton, is neither a knave nor a fool; at least he is not prepared to so view himself just yet, and because his well-beloved sister has certain views in accordance with the creed of her set, it does not follow that he must blindly indorse all those views. He may have sufficient independence to recognize worth when he sees it, regardless of its environment.”
Still no response from stubborn Elsie. The hot blood mounted to Herbert’s brow. Bending forward so that he might get a good view of her face, he exclaimed impetuously:
“Miss Murchison, if this is really a matter of personal dislike I have nothing further to say. Until I am satisfied that it is, however, I feel that I have a right to understand the meaning of your persistent silence.”
Thus brought to bay Elsie raised her eyes, and Herbert saw that they were full of unshed tears.
“Mr. Lynn,” she began tremulously, “it seems almost cruel in you to press me for an answer; but since you force it you shall have the plain truth. There is no personal feeling at all in the matter. I neither like nor dislike you, and simply ask to be let alone. I am your sister’s cook, between whom and Mr. Lynn there cannot be even common acquaintance.”