"By heavens! my suspicion is true—you are already betrothed!"
"It would be easy to say no to that assertion, sir," added Charlotte, rising; "but your right to a reason in a matter where inclination is so material, is exactly the same as my right would be to ask you why you did not address me. I thank you for the preference you have shown me, Mr. Delafield. I have not so little of the woman about me, not to remember it always with gratitude; but I tell you plainly and firmly, for it is necessary that I should do so—I never can consent to receive your proposals."
"I understand you, madam—I understand you," said the young man with an offended air; "you wish my absence—nay, Miss Henley, hear me further."
"No further, Mr. Delafield," interrupted Charlotte, advancing to him with a kind, but unembarrassed air, and offering her hand—"we part friends at least; but I think, now we know each other's sentiments, we had better separate."
The gentleman seized the hand she offered, and kissed it more with the air of a lover, than of an offended man, and left the room. A few minutes after he had gone, Miss Osgood re-appeared.
CHAPTER IV.
Notwithstanding the earnest injunction that Maria had given to Mr. Delafield to continue where she left him, until her return, she expressed no surprise at not finding him in the room. The countenance of this young lady exhibited a droll mixture of playful mirth and sadness; she glanced her eyes once around the apartment, and perceiving it was occupied only by her friend, she said, laughing—
"Well, Charlotte, when is it to be? I think I retired in very good season."
"Perhaps you did, Maria," returned the other, without raising her face from the reflecting attitude in which she stood—"I believe it is all very well."