"I do not paint; that is to say only caricatures of people that make themselves ridiculous." That must finish him, thought she, as Julia gave her dress a slight pull.
But Mr. Hall had not the slightest idea of leaving, and seemed as though he heard not; and quite out of temper Anne said;
"What are you pulling at my dress for, Julia? I think she has a secret to tell me Mr. Hall, so you really must go away."
"I dare say it will keep until to-morrow," replied the impenetrable Mr. Hall; "young ladies never have any very serious secrets."
"You are quite right, Mr. Hall," said Julia, "my secret will keep very well until to-morrow."
"What a wretch he is!" thought Anne, tapping her tiny foot impatiently on the ground; "Isabella will have finished that song soon, and then it will be too late. How tiresome I cannot get rid of him, when every moment is so precious."
"Mr. Hall," said she aloud, "If Julia's secret will keep, mine will not; and since you are determined to remain here, why you must be a sharer in it; there is no help for it."
"By all means," replied he, coolly, "I am all attention."
"You will only hear part of it; but men are so curious, I dare say you will soon ferret out the rest. Can I trust you?"