Ashe bantered her a little on the meaning of her words, till he presently found that she was too young and unpractised to be able to take his thrusts and return them, with equanimity. She could make a daring sally or reply; but it was still the raw material of conversation; it wanted ease and polish. And she was evidently conscious of it herself, for presently her cheek flushed and her manner wavered.
"I suppose you—everybody—thinks her very agreeable?" she said, sharply, her eyes returning to Miss Lyster.
"She is a most excellent gossip," said Ashe. "I always go to her for the news."
Kitty glanced again.
"I can see that already she detests me."
"In half an hour?"
The girl nodded.
"She has looked at me twice—about. But she has made up her mind—and she never changes." Then with an abrupt alteration of note she looked round the room. "I suppose your English dining-rooms are all like this? One might be sitting in a hearse. And the pictures—no! Quelles horreurs!"
She raised her shoulders again impetuously, frowning at a huge full-length opposite of Lord Grosville as M.F.H., a masterpiece indeed of early Victorian vulgarity.
Then suddenly, hastily, with that flashing softness which so often transformed her expression, she turned towards him, trying to make amends.