"'Very well; but I assure you as far as I am concerned, I have no fear that the coachman cannot manage the horses without difficulty.'
"He colored slightly—offended, I suppose, by my tone and my indifference.
"'My mother desired me to accompany her,' he said, coldly, 'so I shall be obliged to force myself upon your society.'
"'Are you not too modest in your estimate of yourself?' I asked with a laugh, that even to my own ears, sounded so harsh and mocking, that I scarcely recognized it as my own.
"He gave me another of those quick, strange glances. It was too late to attempt to soften my judgments or opinions now, by looks or words. While hating myself for the thoughts that tormented me, I could neither return to my old faith or believe in the evil that disturbed it.
"'I fear I hardly appreciate satire,' he said, gravely.
"'No!' returned I, laughingly. 'You must cultivate a taste for it—read the old English humorists.'
"'Certainly Miss Crawford seems to have been studying the art lately with great diligence, if one may judge from the results.'
"'That is a somewhat doubtful compliment, still I must take it for granted that you meant it to be one,' said I. 'But I cannot wait to listen—Mrs. Harrington is wondering what I am about, I dare say.'
"'And we are not friends any longer? 'he asked with a sudden change of manner, extending his hand as he spoke.