"I presume she thinks she has cause for it," observed Mr. St. John.
"What cause?"
"She is jealous of you."
"Jealous of me?"
"Of you and Sir Isaac."
Georgina's grey eyes opened to their utmost width as she stared at the speaker.
"Jealous of me and Sir Isaac? Why, what could put such an idea into her stupid head? How could she be jealous of me, in relation to Sir Isaac? She might as well be jealous of papa."
"I suppose she thinks that she, as chief guest, ought to receive more of the host's attention than any one else," he said, not caring to be more explanatory. "And therefore she does not like your monopolizing Isaac."
"Oh!" cried Georgina, turning up her pretty nose. "I declare I thought you meant it in another light. I'll take up Sir Isaac's attention all tomorrow, just to tease her."
He made no reply. He was thinking. It had not been his fault that Georgina's stay at Castle Wafer was prolonged; but he had seen no feasible way of preventing it. And yet there was always an undercurrent in his heart--a wish that she was away from it, beyond the risk of any possible harm.