'And so completely defenceless—so weak, and easily vanquished,' gravely put in Robert Wentworth.
'Ah, now you are laughing at me!' she ejaculated, an angry light in her eyes. 'I expected more courtesy from you, Mr Wentworth.'
'I assure you I was only repeating Miss Haddon's own sentiments, Mrs Chichester.'
This was too bad. I suppose he meant it as a punishment for my little exhibition of weakness. But I decided that the punishment was too great for the offence, so quietly took up the gauntlet and bided my time.
Mrs Chichester diverged to other topics. Dear Lilian, so sweet and good and trusting; so entirely unsuspicious of people, and so forth; to which we could easily assent. But I was not sufficiently enthusiastic upon the subject to please Mrs Chichester, it seemed; and she took great pains to assure me that she did not in the least degree exaggerate dear Lilian's perfections. But though he gravely assured me that she did not, and even went so far as to hope that in time I should become as fully alive to Miss Farrar's good qualities, I was not to be piqued into giving warmer expression to my feelings. I only gave him a smile for reply. Then I did what I believe was more satisfactory than words to Mrs Chichester; rose and walked away, altogether unheeding Robert Wentworth's almost pleading protest.
'The moon is just rising, Miss Haddon; and the view will be at its best presently.'
But I chose to punish him for his bit of treachery; and walked off, reminding them that it still wanted half an hour to tea-time. When the half-hour had expired, they re-entered the drawing-room, where I was sitting in pleasant communion with Mrs Tipper—both looking rather grave, not to say out of humour.
'Do you always avenge yourself in that crushing way, Miss Haddon?' he asked, coming to my side for a moment.
'I always defend myself in the best way I can when it comes to blows, Mr Wentworth,' I gravely replied.
'And this is the young lady who fears being weak and vanquished!'