Bella's expression changed to something blacker still. "No," she said, fixing her eyes on the still unconscious Leander; "I made sure that Mr. Tweddle was courting a young lady, but—but—well, this is a surprise, Mr. Tweddle! You never told us of this when last we met. I shall have news for somebody!"
"Oh, but it's only been arranged within the last month or two!" said Miss Tweddle.
"Considering we met so lately, he might have done us the compliment of mentioning it, I must say!" said Bella.
"I—I thought you knew," stammered the hairdresser; "I told——"
"No, you didn't, excuse me; oh no, you didn't, or some things would have happened differently. It was the place and all that made you forget it, very likely."
"When did you meet one another, and where was it, Miss Parkinson?" inquired Matilda, rather to include herself in the conversation than from any devouring curiosity.
Leander struck in hoarsely. "We met," he explained, "some time since, quite casual."
Bella's eyes lit up with triumphant malice. "What!" she said, "do you call yesterday week such a long while? What a compliment that is, though! And so he's not even mentioned it to you, Miss Collum? Dear me, I wonder what reasons he had for that, now!"
"There's nothing to wonder at," said Leander; "my memory does play me tricks of that sort."
"Ah, if it was only you it played tricks on! There's Miss Collum dying to know what it's all about, I can see."