"What would Darcy say if he knew you were wandering about by yourself?"
"Bother! Who cares what he says! Besides," added Milly, defiantly, "I have not been by myself."
"Milly," cried Iris, with a dark shade on her face, "have you been again with Mr. Lovel?"
"For the last hour, my dear."
"Then you ought to be ashamed of yourself."
Milly laughed, and examined herself critically in the mirror over the fireplace. She was used to the scoldings of Iris, and cared very little for them. So long as Darcy did not hear of her flirtations with Lovel she had no fear, and treated the expostulations of Iris and the doctor with cool disdain. She did not trouble herself to reply to the last remark, but continued to admire her beauty with critical eyes, while Iris continued:
"You know Mr. Lovel is almost engaged----"
"To Miss Clyde, I suppose you mean. Oh, dear! no, he isn't! He has just told me that he cares nothing for her and a good deal for me."
"But you are engaged to Mr. Herne."
"I am, my dear; I am!" retorted Milly swinging round on the tips of her toes. "Don't you wish you were?"