"No miracle, Miss Neville, for I have seen both."
He looked at her so earnestly, that Amy felt confused, while Charles, who savagely watched them at a distance, felt as surly as a bear, and as miserable as he well could be. He could stand it no longer.
"Miss Neville," said he approaching them, "Has Vavasour given you Mrs. Linchmore's message?"
"No. I quite forgot it," replied he, "It was something about dancing wasn't it? but I for one don't care a rush about it."
"Because you do not, is no reason why others should not," retorted Charles, turning on his heel.
"The next time a message is entrusted to Mr. Vavasour," said Amy rising, "I hope he will not forget to deliver it. I will ask Mrs. Linchmore if it is her wish I should play."
"Stay, Miss Neville, I can answer the question She does—but—"
"Thank you, I need no further commands," replied Amy proudly.
As they left the recess, Alfred Strickland,—who sitting close by had overheard almost every word,—turned lazily round on the sofa.
"Well done for the schoolmistress!" muttered he, "by Jove! how she snubbed Vavasour. That last was a settler!"