"Enforced exit, you mean; with so seductive a neighbour one cannot but pity the absent."
But Mrs. Marchmont must be given an occupation, as she is immediately her opposite neighbour; Trevalyon will then not feel it incumbent on him to notice her, and will then be hers as though in a tete-a-tete; and so with the imperiousness that newly-acquired wealth lends to some natures, she says:
"Here, Fairy, is Agnes Fleming's latest; as I warn you I shall monopolize Capt. Trevalyon until we reach the Hall of 'Haughton,' when some one else will go in for monopoly of me."
"Yes, you poor dear thing, he will;" and she tittered; "but when the cat is away mousey can play; consider me asleep over my novel."
The absurdity of her remark struck Trevalyon so forcibly that he could not restrain a laugh.
"I don't believe you pity me one bit," said Mrs. Tompkins in a low tone, looking into his eyes reproachfully.
"Not one bit."
"Even after what I have told you?"
"Even after that," he answered, in lowest of tones; for they are in such close contact she can see what he would say as his lips frame the words.
"You are the only man who has been cruel to me."