"That's kind, certainly; now I no longer need him, he is willing to acknowledge his son-in-law. No, Rosy, no; I have made advances enough; he must make them now."
"But think how delightful it would be for us all!"
"I know that; besides, I know it must come. He will make the first advance; and he shall make it."
The secret of Cecil's holding back was not pride, but calculation. He fancied that if Vyner made the first advances to him, he could make terms; and his recent losses at the gaming-table had made him sensible of the precariousness of his present resources.
As they moved through the crowd, and were passing into the second room, they came face to face with Mrs. St. John and Julius.
There was no avoiding a recognition. Rose blushed deeply, and felt extremely embarrassed; but recovering herself, she held out her hand to Mrs. St. John, who took it coldly.
Cecil and Julius shook hands cordially.
"Have you long been returned?" asked Rose in a low voice.
"Six weeks," was the laconic reply. "I hope Mr. Vyner is quite well, and Mrs. Vyner?'
"Mama is here—in the other room," she said, with an effort.