'I never saw a girl so changed since we were at school together at Madame Raffineur's in Belgium—even since I saw her last in London!' said Maude; 'why, Roland, she has become quite an artful little woman of the world!'
'Artful—oh, Maude!' he expostulated.
'Girls in their confidential moods say and admit many things their best friends know nothing of; but don't let me vex you, dear Roland. However, I don't like to hear Annot boast of enjoying cigarettes and being a good shot.'
'All talk, Maude; she takes a waggish delight in startling you country folks. I'd stake a round sum on it, she never tried either,' he replied, with undisguised irritation.
Maude was silent for a moment; but she would have been more than blind had she not seen how Annot and her brother were affected to each other, and she disliked it.
'You love Annot then?' she asked.
'I do.'
'And mean to—to marry her?'
'I hope so.'
'With Annot you have not a sentiment in common; and marriage between two persons whose tastes are diverse is a great error.'