Margaret could not deny it.
"But what I was going to say," remarked Mr. Humphries, coming close to Margaret and whispering. "Will you dance the first quadrille with me?"
"With pleasure," said Margaret, smiling.
"Thank you—you see I could not tell Miss Conway just now, because I did not know myself, till I had asked you."
"No, you could not, indeed."
"Well, I'm going now," he exclaimed, suddenly taking her hand. "God bless you!"
"Did you sneeze, Margaret?" asked Harriet, turning quickly round.
Mr. Humphries was walking fast to the door.
Margaret supposed the explanation was meant as a farewell, for he stopped at the door, said "good night!" accompanied by an extraordinary nod of the head, and vanished.
"That is one of the best fellows that ever lived," said Mr. Singleton, nodding at the door through which Mr. Humphries had departed.