“That was not my interpretation of it. Our bargain, as I understood it, was that I was to have this forenoon to myself, and that I was to use the forenoon for reading. I believe my engagement with you began in the afternoon.”
“I wish it did,” said the young man, with a wistful look.
“You wish what?” she said, glancing up at him sharply.
He blushed as he bent over towards her and whispered, “That our engagement, Miss Katherine, began in the afternoon.”
The colour mounted rapidly into her cheeks, and for a moment George Morris thought he had gone too far. It seemed as if a sharp reply was ready on her lips; but, as on another occasion, she checked it and said nothing. Then she opened her book and began to read. He waited for a moment and said—
“Miss Earle, have I offended you?”
“Did you mean to give offence?” she asked.
“No, certainly, I did not.”
“Then why should you think you had offended me?”
“Well, I don’t know, I—” he stammered.