I did so, and she lay back in her chair, listening with half-closed eyes; but when I put my instrument down I again encountered her earnest gaze.
'You are a pretty little thing,' she said abruptly; 'I suppose that is no news to you?'
'I have not often been told so,' I said, flushing, and half laughing at her bluntness.
'It is no thanks to you that you are made so,' she said. 'I have no patience with people who are possessed with good looks; they invariably take the credit of their beauty to themselves, and are quite insufferable with all their airs and graces. I don't say this is the case with you, for I have not seen enough of you to tell yet. Now I am going to read, so you will be left in peace for a little. Would you like a magazine?'
There was no more talk between us that night. At half-past ten Miss Rayner rose and wished me good-night.
'I breakfast at half-past eight punctually,' she said; 'so you will like to retire now, I expect.'
And this I did, wondering, when I reached my room, what it was that so attracted me towards Miss Rayner; for, in spite of her blunt manner and tone, I really had taken a liking to her, and was glad that I was going to see more of her.