"You cannot have heard," she said, "no one can have told you that----"
"That what! What is there to tell? For God's sake speak, Ida!"
"That I am engaged."
"Engaged!" he said, rising to his feet. "Engaged! while I have been away. Oh! it cannot be, it is impossible! You must have seen, you must have known of my love for you. It cannot be true!"
"It is true, Mr. Cundall."
"True!" Then he paused a moment and endeavoured to recover himself. When he had done so he said very quietly, but in a deep, hoarse voice: "I congratulate you, Miss Raughton. May I ask who is the fortunate gentleman?"
"I am engaged to Lord Penlyn."
He took a step backward and ejaculated, "Lord Penlyn! Lord----"
Then once more he recovered himself, and said: "Shall I take you back to the ball-room? Doubtless he is looking for you now."
"I am very sorry for your disappointment," she said, looking up at him with a pale face; his emotion had startled her, "very sorry. I would not wound you for the world. And there are so many other women who will make you happy."