"Not that I have heard of," said Johnny.
"She is not going to become the wife of one Mr. John Eames?"
He did not wish to talk to Miss Demolines about Lily Dale. He did not choose to disown the imputation, or to acknowledge its truth.
"Silence gives consent," she said. "If it be so, I congratulate you. I have no doubt she is a most charming young woman. It is about seven years, I believe, since that little affair with Mr. Crosbie, and therefore that, I suppose, may be considered as forgotten."
"It is only three years," said Johnny, angrily. "Besides, I don't know what that has to do with it."
"You need not be ashamed," said Madalina. "I have heard how well you behaved on that occasion. You were quite the preux chevalier; and if any gentleman ever deserved well of a lady you deserved well of her. I wonder how Mr. Crosbie felt when he met you the other day at Maria's. I had not heard anything about it then, or I should have been much more interested in watching your meeting."
"I really can't say how he felt."
"I daresay not; but I saw him shake hands with you. And so Lily Dale has come to town?"
"Yes,—Miss Dale is here with her uncle."
"And you are going away to-morrow?"