"She would find neither pleasure nor amusement in my society," said Zoe; "and hers is most distasteful to me."
"That's a pity," said Arthur, with a look of concern. "Suppose I lend you Ella for a few days? She, I think, would rather enjoy taking the entertainment of your guest off your hands."
"Oh, thank you!" said Zoe, brightening; "that would be a relief: and, besides, I should enjoy Ella myself, between times, and after Miss Deane goes home."
"Please tell Ella we will both be greatly obliged if she will come,"
Edward said.
"I'll do so," said Arthur, rising to go; "but I have a long drive to take, in another direction, before returning to Roselands. And you must remember," he added with a smile, "that I lend her for only a few days. Cal and I wouldn't know how to do without her very long."
With that, he took his departure, leaving Edward and Zoe alone together.
"I am sorry, Zoe, that you thought it necessary to let Arthur into the secret of the mutual dislike between Miss Deane and yourself," remarked Edward, in a grave, reproving tone.
Zoe colored angrily. "I don't care who knows it," she retorted, with a little toss of her head. "I did not think it necessary to let Arthur into the secret, as you call it (I don't consider it one), but neither did I see any objection to his knowing about it."
"Then, let me request you to say no more on the subject to any one," he said, with vexation.
"I sha'n't promise," she muttered, half under her breath. But he heard it.