Victoria Fielding threw back a somewhat haughty head, and said, with a flashing, mocking look of her bright eyes,
“Mamma flatters you! do not fancy I wanted you in the least. I disdain help. My motto is, ‘By my own hand.’”
“Very well,” replied he, calmly, but with an expression of admiration in his face; indeed she was so handsome and graceful, that it was not easy to look at her without admiration.
Her conversation to him was all in the same style, to Hilary she hardly spoke at all; and when Miss Duncan tried to find subjects of conversation, she seemed little inclined to reply, unless Mr. Huyton joined; whatever she might affect of indifference toward him, Hilary was convinced, was simply affectation. The wish to attract him was obvious, although shown in a taunting and defying sort of way.
After about ten minutes’ conversation of this uncomfortable and disjointed kind, Charles suddenly turned to Hilary, and said—
“Have you been into the conservatory lately, Miss Duncan? I should like you to see my camellias.”
Hilary feeling that any change would be a relief at that moment, answered that she should like it very much indeed; and then he asked Victoria if she would come too.
“No, thank you,” replied the young lady, carelessly, “I have walked round and about it, till I am more weary of that
particular spot of ground, and those especial flowers, than of any thing else on earth; except myself,” she added, in a sort of whisper.
He smiled again.