“And why was this not spent at home?”
“Because I cannot assume to be what I am not, and you know I am not at rest; that our harmony is disturbed. Could I have seen you alone, I should have been at home before this.”
“You have sought society, I suppose, more congenial?”
“Mabel, be careful. You may so unnerve me that I may say much that I shall be sorry for.”
“Howard?”
“Well, Mabel.”
“I think I shall return with father and mother. They will go home day after to-morrow.”
He did not raise his eyes, nor appear in the least anxious to detain her, but merely said:
“Where are they this evening?”
“At Mrs. Norton's. They went to tea. I felt too ill to accompany them.”