‘Our friend below-stairs looks as if that was not his failing. I should say that he means a good deal.’
‘Oh, I know you are laughing at my stupid phrase—no matter; you understand me, at all events. I don’t like that man.’
‘Dick’s friends are not fortunate with you. I remember how unfavourably you judged of Mr. Atlee from his portrait.’
‘Well, he looked rather better than his picture—less false, I mean; or perhaps it was that he had a certain levity of manner that carried off the perfidy.’
‘What an amiable sort of levity!’
‘You are too critical on me by half this evening,’ said Nina pettishly; and she arose and strolled out upon the leads.
For some time Kate was scarcely aware she had gone. Her head was full of cares, and she sat trying to think some of them ‘out,’ and see her way to deal with them. At last the door of the room slowly and noiselessly opened, and Dick put in his head.
‘I was afraid you might be asleep, Kate,’ said he, entering, ‘finding all so still and quiet here.’
‘No. Nina and I were chatting here—squabbling, I believe, if I were to tell the truth; and I can’t tell when she left me.’
‘What could you be quarrelling about?’ asked he, as he sat down beside her.