"Don't be silly, Mr. Greatorex," was the answer.
"Silly!"
She bent her bead, not speaking.
"What do you mean, Louisa? Our engagement was entered upon deliberately: you gave me every hope. You cannot play with me now. Speak, Louisa."
He had taken possession of her hand, and was keeping her before him; his dark eyes, gleaming with their doubt and love, looked straight into hers.
"What?" she faintly asked. "Why do you question it?"
"Because your manner is strange: you have avoided me ever since I came in."
"The surprise was so great."
"Surely a pleasant surprise. I intended it as such. Do you suppose I should have cared to come down on this business to Mr. Ollivera, when writing would have answered every purpose? No: I came to see you. And to learn why----"
"Not now. Don't you see mamma is looking at me?"