De Forrest tried to laugh at his discomfiture when he appeared at the dinner-table, but he was evidently annoyed and vexed with its author.
"It was very nice of you, Mr. Hemstead," said Lottie, "to permit youself to be pelted by us. You evidently did not think us worthy of your steel. But I fear you gave Julian a strong compliment."
"I only returned one of his."
"But he did not hit you."
"He meant to. We form our most correct judgment of people sometimes from what they intend, rather than what they do."
"Well, I thank you for my share of the sport."
"And I thank you for mine."
"What occasion have you to thank me, when I almost put your eyes out with snow?"
"You did not so blind them but that I could see a face aglow with exercise. That made a pleasing contrast to the cold white snow."
"Frank, Frank, you will make Lottie vain," said Mrs. Marchmont.
"I did not know that complimenting was permitted to you."