"Very well; remember you are in my debt," says she, who au fond is not ill-natured. At this moment Tita passes down the balcony to where her husband is standing on the top of the steps that lead to the gardens beneath.
As she draws closer to him, he fixes his eyes upon her as if to compel a glance from her in return; but Tita, who is accompanied by Minnie Hescott, does not so much as once let her gaze wander in his direction. She comes nearer—ever nearer, laughing and talking gaily, and passes him, still without recognition of any sort. As her skirt sweeps against him, he speaks.
"Are you going out, Tita?"
It is the first word that has passed between them since last night—since she left his room. A sudden angry determination to make her speak to him, induces him now to get before her, and bar her passage to the steps.
"Yes," returns she coldly, graciously, briefly.
She leans back a little, as if to catch up the tail of her white gown—in reality, to avoid looking at him.
"Just here there is shelter," says Rylton, speaking hurriedly, as if to gain time, and keep her from gliding past him. "But outside—— And you have a very thin frock on. Shall I get you a shawl?"
"No, thank you."
Her manner is still perfectly gracious, but still she refuses to look at him. The gathering up of her frock is evidently causing her a great deal of trouble.
"Shall I take you out some cushions, then?"