"Oh! by the way," said Harriet, interrupting a lively discussion upon some trifling subject, "did Mr. Gage ever condescend to enquire after me while I was ill?"
Margaret had rather feared this question, but she was obliged to reply that he had not.
Harriet seemed more disturbed by this proof of his indifference than Margaret had ever before seen her.
After a pause she said: "Did he seem—" then, suddenly interrupting herself, she exclaimed, "Pshaw! I will not stoop to enquire what he seemed. Perhaps," she added, after another pause, "I had no reason to expect any-thing else from him."
"I thought it very unkind," said Margaret.
Harriet nodded her head in acquiescence, and remained silently gazing into the fire. Once or twice she felt for her handkerchief, and drew it hastily across her eyes as if she did not wish to be observed.
"The fire makes one's eyes weak," she said at last.
Margaret agreed to it.
"Oh! by the way, how do you get on with Mr. Humphries?" said Harriet, rousing herself.