So saying he abruptly took his leave.
[CHAPTER XIV.]
"Mother, Bonnibel has refused Colonel Carlyle."
Mrs. Arnold looked up from the sofa where she lay reading a novel by the gas-light with a start of surprise. Felise had come into the room as quietly as a spirit in her white dressing-gown.
"Mercy, Felise, how you startled me!" she exclaimed. "I had just got to such an exciting part where the heroine was just about to be murdered by her jealous rival when in you came with your long hair and trailing white wrapper, like Lady Macbeth walking in her sleep. I almost expected to hear you exclaim:
"'Here's the smell of the blood still; all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand!'"
"You are quite dramatic to-night, mother—your novel must be an exciting one," said Felise, with a slight sneer. She came forward and sat down in a large easy-chair opposite her mother. She looked pale, and her eyes burned with repressed excitement.
"It is," said Mrs. Arnold, "the most thrilling book I have read lately. But what were you saying when you came in and frightened me so?"
"I said that Bonnibel had refused Colonel Carlyle," repeated Felise, distinctly.