"He looks changed somehow."
"So I think. He spends, I believe, too much time in the billiard-room, and report talks of high play at The Lilacs with Lord Camberley and others. All these things distress me greatly."
"Naturally--if you feel a special interest in him," remarked Ella.
Again Maria's colour deepened.
"Just before I went to Leamington he asked me to be his wife."
"Did you refuse him?"
"For the time being."
"And you have not yet made up your mind to accept him?"
"No. How can I? I could never make up my mind unless papa's will went with it."
"Perhaps Philip is vexed--disheartened: and so flies to these foolish courses?"