"'Better leave her to herself,' the General said, carelessly; 'I think the girl is a good deal spoiled already—better not add to it.'
"James darted a perfectly furious glance at him as he spoke, then turned and looked out of the window again.
"'Perhaps you are right, dear,' Mrs. Harrington said; 'I do spoil the child, but she is so pretty, I really cannot help it.'
"'A reason that answers with women,' said the General, smiling, 'and young men,' he added to himself, but I caught the words, low as they were spoken.
"I suppose my face betrayed that I had heard him, for he gave me a little deprecatory bow and smile, half playful, half apologetic.
"James moved suddenly from the window and was leaving the room.
"'Are you going out, dear?' his mother asked.
"'Not yet,' he answered, 'Have you any commands, madre mia?'
"'None, I believe,' she replied with her happiest smile. 'Perhaps Mabel has, though.'
"'Miss Crawford has only to express them,' he replied, half turning toward me, his voice changing so quickly, growing so cold and indifferent, that I wondered even his mother, unobservant as she was, did not notice it.