She started and looked at him, but laughed lightly as she said—
“You are very particular in commending my goodness, but you do not seem pleased.”
“No, Minnie; for I am too unhappy to conceal it,” was his reply. “I had thought you loved me better.”
“And since I did confess that love,” said she haughtily, and coloring deeply, “by what right do you doubt it?”
“Ask others beside myself, Minnie; ask all the world here, if this very hour you have not given me cause to think myself weighed in the balance with another?”
“You are jealous then. I had not deemed your breast capable of harboring so base a passion,” said she scornfully. “My actions are yet uncontrolled, and I must beg leave to decline any dictation of terms from your lips.”
He turned pale with suffering, but remembered her youth, and calmly met her eye.
“You do me injustice, Minnie; I had no such intention I assure you.”
At this moment Mr. Freeman handed her a plate of frozen strawberries, and a smile flitted over his features as he remarked their own. It was evident to him—there had been a dispute and he chose the opportunity. Quietly approaching the musicians, he gave them an order, and they began a mazourka then much in vogue. Harry’s head was turned away, and Minnie gave him a hurried glance as a most melodious voice was entreating her to dance.
“Ah!” said Mr. Freeman, smiling and gazing at her, “is it forbidden already?”