"No, Cornelius, I was lying on the couch."
"And you have just awakened, I suppose?" he carelessly observed, but with his look bent keenly on my face. I answered in a faltering tone—
"I have been awake some time."
"Before Miss Russell left?"
"Yes, Cornelius."
The blood rushed up to his brow.
"You listened?" he exclaimed, with a wrathful glance.
"I heard, Cornelius," I replied, unwilling to lose the distinction, "and heard as little as I could."
"Heard!" he indignantly echoed. "Upon my word! and why did you hear? Why did you not leave the room?"
"Twice I rose to do so; I made a noise on purpose; but you did not hear me, and I did not dare to disturb you."