This calm invitation slightly astonished Earle; he forgot that in America young ladies receive visitors in their father's house.
'Thank you,' he got out in some confusion.
Silvia seemed to read his thought. 'My mother too, I daresay, will be glad to see you; but I suppose you have very little time for calls,' she said haughtily.
He recovered himself. 'You are very, very good,' he replied. 'It would be the greatest pleasure to me.'
For a few minutes there was a trace of stiffness in her manner, but it soon passed away; and the rest of the time they spent at the table was taken up with animated talk on all sorts of subjects.
In the drawing-room up-stairs there was music; and very soon Mrs De Lacy pounced upon Silvia, who was comfortably ensconced in a corner with Wilfred.
'Dear child,' she cried, 'it is your turn now. Don't waste more time on converting that prejudiced mortal.'
Silvia looked a little bit annoyed, and getting up quickly, moved to the piano, while Mrs De Lacy murmured: 'Sweet girl! Always so obliging!'
Wilfred stood behind her.
'What shall I sing?' she said, half to herself, looking round.