Her overstrained nerves then found relief in a burst of tears. But as the Earl chose to kiss her at this moment, she was obliged to stop crying, the merest civility compelling her to return his embrace. As soon as she was able to speak, she said, however, in a voice meant only for his ears: “Oh, no! Pray do not! It was all my folly, behaving in this missish way! You felt yourself obliged to comfort me! I assure you, I don’t regard it — shall never think of it again!”
“My poor dear, you must be very much shaken to say anything so foolish!” said the Earl lovingly. “Never did I think to hear such nonsense on my sage counsellor’s lips!”
“You would become disgusted with my odious common-sense. Try as I will, I cannot be romantic!” said Miss Morville despairingly.
His eyes danced. “Oh, I forbid you to try! Your practical observations, my absurd robin, are the delight of my life!”
Miss Morville looked at him. Then, with a deep sigh, she laid her hand in his. But what she said was: “You must mean a sparrow!”
“I will not allow you to dictate to me, now or ever, Miss Morville! I mean a robin!” said the Earl firmly, lifting her hand to his lips.
This interlude, which was watched with interest by the three servants, with complacence by Mrs. Morville, critically by the Viscount, who was trying to unravel the puzzle just set before him, and with hostility by the Dowager and Mr. Morville, seemed to break the spell which had hitherto held the rest of the company silent.
“St. Erth!” said the Dowager awfully.
“Take care you do not hurt her arm!” advised Mrs. Morville practically.
“Here!” said the Viscount, addressing himself to the domestic staff. “Nothing more for you to do here! You be off, all of you!”