"If I ever have been," she said tranquilly, "as I am now single, Mr. Humphries, you must suppose it would be an unpleasant subject for me to touch upon."
He seemed struck by her calm, grave manner, but he stumbled on.
"Because, I was in love once—with a very nice girl—when I was at Christ Church; but, for all that, I feel as if—I should be in love again—"
Margaret held out her hand, and said gently, but coldly, "Good night, Mr. Humphries."
He took her hand, kissed it, seemed very much inclined to cry, but let her pass him without a word. He had perfectly understood her manner.
CHAPTER VII.
Parlar di te non voglio, e fra le labbra
Ho sempre il nome tuo: vó dal pensiero
Cancellar quel sembiante e in ogni oggetto
Col pensier lo dipingo.
METASTASIO.
In rapid attacks of illness, like that which Harriet suffered from, there is, fortunately, no very long interval of suspense for those interested in the patient.
The next day she was much better, and the day after was able to sit up by her dressing-room fire, and talk and laugh pretty much as usual.