“I don’t see it anywhere,” she said, with childlike innocence.
Peyton searched the mantel, then looked at the chairs, and again brought his eyes to bear on Miss Sally. She blinked once or twice, but did not quail.
“’Tis strange!” he said. “I’m sure I left it in this room.”
And he went again over all the ground he had already examined. Miss Sally utilized the times when his back was turned, in making a search of her own, the object of which was a safe place where she could quickly deposit the hat without attracting his attention.
Peyton was doubly annoyed at this enforced delay in his departure, since Elizabeth might come into the parlor at any time, and the meeting occur which he had, for a moment, hoped to avoid.
“Would you mind helping me look for it?” said he. “I’m in great haste to be gone. Do me the kindness, madam, will you not?”
“Why, yes, with pleasure,” she answered, thinking bitterly how transported she would be, in other circumstances, at such an opportunity of showing her readiness to oblige him.
Her aid consisted in following him about, looking in each place where he had looked the moment before, and keeping the sought-for object close behind her.
Suddenly he turned about, with such swiftness that she almost came into collision with him.