"I do not have to be," he answered, "but you are very different. Now you dare not be long cross."
"Oh, don't I, indeed? And if I dare not, what is the reason, sir," she demanded in a tone as sarcastic as she could make it, though this, it must be admitted, was not saying much.
"Because," he said, slowly and coolly, "if you do let your temper get the better of you the skirt is liable to follow the ruffle into my possession."
"Insolent," exclaimed the girl, sitting down and carefully turning her back towards her tormentor.
That she was very angry with Moore cannot be doubted. Probably it was because she was so exasperated at his behavior and so desirous of being plagued no further by him that she remained in this secluded nook instead of returning to the adjacent rooms, the greater number of which were thronged with guests. Certainly her staying where she was could not be regarded as anything but indicative of a sincere desire to be rid of his company. Unfortunately this very evident fact was not plain to the poet, for he proceeded quite as though he interpreted her tarrying as proof of his own success in providing her with pleasant diversion, a grievous error, as any one conversant with the real state of affairs would have admitted.
"Lady Donegal is a delightful hostess, is n't she, Mistress Dyke?"
"At last you have suggested a subject on which we can agree," replied Bessie, stiffly.
"Oh, I can suggest another," said Moore, trying to catch her eye, an undertaking Bessie rendered a failure by resolutely turning her head away.
"What is that, Mr. Moore?"
"You know I think you are very pretty, Bessie."