"Asked you to marry him; by Jove, that was too funny! I think I must propose to some girl,—so as to make us quits; though it might be rather awkward, if she happened to say 'yes'! However, of course I could easily jilt her!" Then in quite another tone, "No doubt you encouraged his hopes?"
"I did nothing of the kind," she answered hotly, "I've always disliked him."
"Ah! Well on one point we agree; I don't love him either. There's your programme; I wonder if you are aware, that we have sat out two whole dances? Time has flown,—hasn't it? Look here, one word before we part. We are bound to meet at home,—I mean in Moonshire. Mrs. De Wolfe and my uncle are tremendous chums, old lovers and that sort of thing, and I daresay she will wonder, that since we knew one another in India,—why you have kept me so dark? You must play up! You'd better say,—we had a quarrel."
"Very well," assented the girl.
"And don't let her run away with the idea,—that it was a lovers' quarrel," he added, rising as he spoke.
To this, Nancy made no reply, and they returned to the ball-room in absolute silence. The moment she appeared, she was instantly claimed by Sir Dudley Villars, who upbraided her with having "cut his dance." Meanwhile Mayne walked off in search of his own partner.
How pretty Nancy was; indeed lovely! How her colour went and came, and how her little under lip, had trembled. Perhaps he had been a bit rough on her! The old outspoken, spirited, Nancy he remembered, was gone! At first, she had seemed as frightened as a newly caught bird. But, after all, why should he not bully her a little? considering that he was her lawful lord, and master; and that his share, so far, had been the kicks,—whilst she, had collared all the half-pence!