Stanton, in a low tone, remarked to her at the supper table, "Now that fate has throw you and Van Berg together in such a remarkable manner" (the young lady colored deeply at this unfortunate expression and looked at him keenly), "I trust that you will yield gracefully to destiny and treat him with ordinary courtesy when you meet. Otherwise you may occasion surmises that will not be agreeable to you."
"Has he been telling you anything about this morning?" she asked quickly.
"Nothing more than he said in your presence. Why, was there anything more to tell?"
"Certainly not, but he made ill-natured remarks about me once—that is, you said he did—and why should he not again?"
"Well, he has not. I think he spoke very handsomely of you this morning. I hope he didn't exaggerate your good behavior."
"If you prefer to believe ill of me you are welcome to do so. For my part, I believe you exaggerate what Mr. Van Berg said at the concert, and that he never meant to be so rude. As far as I can judge, he has shown no such unmannerly disposition since coming here."
"Indeed, you are right. I think his disposition has compared favorably with your own."
"Well," she replied, with a peculiar smile, "we are on speaking terms for the present."
"That smile bodes no good-will towards my friend, but for once you will find a man who will not fall helplessly in love with your mere beauty."
"If you will glance at yonder table you can see that Miss Burton has already so absorbed him that he has eyes for no one else."