"There you are wrong. It is time we had an explanation. So long as mother objected to you as she does to Ned----"
"To Ned?"
"I mean to Mr. Bracken," said Zara, colouring and wincing. "Well then, so long as she was in that frame of mind, I let things slide. But now mother seems inclined to consider you as a possible son-in--law, and I must appeal to you."
"Command me in any way."
"Then don't worry me with attentions. Oh, I don't mind your behaving like a gentleman, as you have been doing, to pass the time while mother is away. I am very grateful to you for the amusement you have given me. But"--added the girl, leaning against the railings of a convenient dwelling-house--"I am not in love with you, no more than you are with me."
"I do love you," said Hench, frowning; "what's the use of saying otherwise?"
"You don't love me, I tell you," insisted Zara petulantly. "Trust a woman to understand the exact state of a man's heart. You like me, you admire me, you think me a good sort, but love"--she shook her head--"you don't understand love as Ned--I mean, Mr. Bracken--does."
"Oh, call him Ned by all means," said Hench quietly. "I see you are friendly enough with him to do so."
"I am engaged to him."
"With your mother's consent?"