“Were you going to ask me something?” he inquired, in a low voice.
“No, no,” she said, confusedly. “Will you have some sugar?”
“You see,” he said, “you were going to ask me something.”
Feeling as if his dark eyes had read her innermost thoughts, she flushed, and turned away to put on her gloves.
“We really mustn’t be late, Mr. Faradeane!” exclaimed Aunt Amelia, who was “got up” in a hat and jacket rather more youthful than Olivia’s. “The dear people will be so anxious, you know.”
“I am ready,” he said, and he went toward Olivia to offer her his arm to the carriage, then stopped suddenly, as if he had remembered something, and looked round for Bertie, who sprang forward to her side instantly.
Olivia saw the sudden change of partners, and for a moment she hesitated; then, with lowered eyes, she put her hand on Bertie’s arm.
The rest followed, and Faradeane got into the carriage with Annie and Mary, much to their delight, and somewhat to their awe.
“Well,” said Bertie, eagerly, in a low voice to Olivia, “what do you think of him?”
“Of him?” asked Olivia, with an affectation of doubt.