"Of course," she replied, with a most provoking laugh.
"Parsons don't usually care for dancing," added Harry, in a tone equally irritating.
But for Charley Elliott the evening would have been dull enough to Isabel. She would far rather have had Everard for a partner than any of those whose names were on her programme, but she believed that he had purposely avoided her all the earlier part of the evening: besides, Everard's manner towards her of late had become quite an enigma—now cold, almost haughty, then again soft, even tender, then indifferent—and Isabel resented its variableness. She was the more annoyed, as she knew that Emily was not quite in the dark.
"I think Mr. Elliott is a very nice young man, don't you, Isabel?" said Emily at breakfast next morning.
"Very," replied Isabel, coloring warmly as she caught Everard's penetrating glance.
"A done thing, I see," laughed Harry.
"How can you be so absurd, Harry?"
Are you fond of sea voyages?" he continued.
"I think them delightful."
"Capital. Did you know that he was going to India?"