But Lord Werter was obdurate in his refusal to go, and she could not force his obedience.
“Oh, what a muddle it all is! I do not know where to turn for comfort!” sobbed the poor girl; and her pillow was wet with tears when she sank into troubled sleep, so that her eyes were heavy and her cheek pale when she entered the breakfast room next morning.
She found Daisie and Mr. Sherwood, with his new companion, already waiting; but as the latter was entertaining them with some witty narration of an event of foreign travel, they did not seem impatient.
She bowed a subdued good morning to all, and was very quiet when they took their places at the table with Reed Raymond for her vis-à-vis.
She did not speak to him, did not notice him, and he comprehended with trouble that he was recognized.
“What does she mean to do? That icy demeanor is ominous and threatening. Oh, if I had guessed she was here I should never have presented myself under this roof,” he thought, with alarm, and just then Royall Sherwood exclaimed banteringly:
“Why so pensive this morning, Annette?”
She colored deeply, and Daisie smiled and exclaimed:
“Doubtless she is thinking of the grand conquest she made last night—the new social lion, Lord Werter.”
Royall gave a start of surprise, and looked at his companion, saying: