He looked at her a little plaintively, as though he could have reminded her that she had promised him a friend's assistance.
"Of course! But I might as well talk to this table. She won't really make friends—nor will Miss Marvell allow her. It's the same, I find, with everyone else. However, I'm bound to say, the neighbourhood is just now in the mood that it doesn't much want to make friends!"
"I know," said Winnington, with a sigh—relapsing into silence.
"Is she taking an interest in the property—the cottages?"
He shook his head.
"I'm sure she meant to. But it seems to be all dropped."
"Provoking!" said Madeleine, drily—"considering how you've been slaving to please her—"
Winnington interrupted—not without annoyance—
"How can she think of anything else when she's once deep in this campaign? One must blame the people who led her into it!"
"Oh! I don't know!" said Lady Tonbridge, protesting. "She's a very clever young woman, with a strong will of her own."