Then, as she made no reply, he added, "You do not ask me to stay."
"I would do so, if I thought you could retreat honourably."
"And you do not think so? You do not blame me for going?"
"Certainly not. Things have proceeded too far. You must go. I am only sorry to see so many sad faces."
"Thank you, Miss Neville, those are my own feelings entirely. I am in no way to blame for the actions of others, and should have gone myself, whether or no. Good-bye.—God bless you!" he added, softly, as he held her hand in his.
It was only for a moment; even Frances could not have found fault with the length of time he held it, and Amy scarcely felt the pressure of his fingers; yet she felt and saw the mark his ring had made as his hand clasped hers so tightly; felt and thought of it for many days after that.
Nearly all the gentlemen passed out after Charles. Robert Vavasour hesitated as he drew near the spot where Amy sat; but she did not look up from the book she held in her hand; and, after a moment's delay, he, too, went out, and most of the ladies followed.
"Are you not going Alfred?" asked his sister, advancing towards an easy chair, near the fire where he had made himself especially snug.
"What's all the row about?" said he.