A moment of silence followed this outburst; then she swept out of the room, with a thin rustle of her black dress, and left the prospective captain and Natalia alone.
IV.
Miss Douce put away her handkerchief in a business-like manner, and looked at Barrington with soft appeal. "Ah, why didn't you tell?"
"Tell? My dear Miss Douce, I had no idea—"
"Thoughtless man, not to foresee!"
"I didn't suppose your aunt would be so much annoyed."
"Oh, I didn't mean that!" said Natalia, growing judiciously pettish.
"What then?"
"Not her," said the maiden, significantly.
"Really, Miss Douce," said Barrington, "you have surprised me—I had no idea—"