"Neither did you learn drawing?"
"No."
"Well, that's odd, isn't it? Mr. and Mrs. Dan Arkell must have been rather neglectful of you."
"I suppose they thought I should do as well without accomplishments as with them," was the composed answer. "To tell you the truth, Miss Travice, I dare say I shall."
"But everybody is accomplished now—at least, ladies are. I was surprised, I must confess, to find William Arkell a proficient in such things, for men rarely learn them. I wonder they did not have you taught music, if only to play with him. He has to put up with a stranger, you see—poor me."
Mildred's cheek burnt. "I have listened to him," she said; "hitherto he has found that sort of help enough, and liked it."
"He is very attractive," resumed Charlotte, throwing her bright eyes full at Mildred, a saucy expression in their depths; "don't you find him so?"
"I think you do," was Mildred's quiet answer.
"Of course I do. Haven't I just said it? And so, I dare say, do a great many others. Yesterday evening—by the way, you ought to have been here yesterday evening."
"Why ought I?"