"No; Sir Charles shall have that, and Miss Waring will like the rest."
He was a little annoyed; any man would have been treated with this seeming indifference whether he cared for the person or not.
"You are determined never to be friends with me," he said.
"On the contrary, I have to thank you and everybody here for a great deal of kindness."
"I am sure both Margaret and Mr. Waring feel much obliged to you; her health is so delicate, that the house would have been in hopeless disorder except for your attention, and the old gentleman considers you perfection."
"It is very pleasant to be appreciated," she answered, gayly. "At least, you ought to thank me; I kept Miss Waring from dying of regret during your absence."
"Margaret would never die from any such feeling," he replied, impatiently.
"I think where she loves, all her feelings are centered."
"Ah, Miss Chase, romance fades rapidly during a long engagement."