"To supposing what you please?"
"Or what pleases you, perhaps," said the first speaker.
"Anything but that, Mr. Archibald!"
"Then it was no surprise to you that your father should set a young and lovely Mrs. Haye at the head of his establishment, even though he found her in the person of your playmate?"
Elizabeth hesitated; she drew in her under lip, and her eye darkened and lightened; but she hesitated. Then she spoke, looking down.
"I was surprised."
"Not a pleasant surprise?" said Mr. Archibald.
The girl's face literally flashed at him; from her two eyes the fire flew, as if the one would confound the other.
"How dare you ask me the question, sir!"
"Pardon me — I had no idea there was any harm in it," said the person at whom the fire flew.