‘I must say you are very charming company. You won’t sing, and you’ll only talk to say disagreeable things. Shall I make tea, and see if it will render you more amiable?’
‘Do so, dearest, and then show Mr. Walpole the house; he has forgotten what brought him here, I really believe.’
‘You know that I have not,’ muttered he, in a tone of deep meaning.
‘There’s no light now to show him the house; Mr. Walpole must come to-morrow, when papa will be at home and delighted to see him.’
‘May I really do this?’
‘Perhaps, besides, your friend will have found the little inn so insupportable, that he too will join us. Listen to that sigh of poor Nina’s and you’ll understand what it is to be dreary!’
‘No; I want my tea.’
‘And it shall have it,’ said Kate, kissing her with a petting affectation as she left the room.
‘Now one word, only one,’ said Walpole, as he drew his chair close to her: ‘If I swear to you—’
‘What’s that? who is Kate angry with?’ cried Nina, rising and rushing towards the door. ‘What has happened?’