"A little—a very little."
Come! thought Harriet, whose keen ear discovered a slight faultering in his carefully guarded tone. It is mutual whatever it is. That is just what I wanted to discover. Whether or not this discovery tended to put her into good spirits, she was unusually brilliant that evening at the rehearsal. Everybody seemed animated by her.
Miss Campbell tried to play up to her, as the actors call it. The officer repeated his assurance that she had a great genius for the stage, and even Everard read his part a little as if he meant it.
Margaret was sitting by Mrs. Fitzpatrick, holding Harriet's part-book, when Mr. Haveloc and Mr. Gage came in together. Mr. Haveloc came to Mrs. Fitzpatrick's chair, and Mr. Gage to Margaret's.
"You have not been prevailed upon to lend your aid, Miss Capel," said Mr. Gage.
"No," said Margaret, "happily I was not wanted."
"I could not fancy Margaret acting," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
"Nor I!" said Mr. Haveloc, suddenly.
Margaret blushed, and kept her eyes fixed on the book without distinguishing a word.
"Where am I, Margaret?" asked Harriet. "What do I say next?"