Miss Lanark felt as if someone had thrown cold water in her face. She turned to the door in silence.
"I suppose I shall see you before you go abroad this winter, Everest?" she added to her brother.
"Oh, no doubt—we sha'n't start till September," he rejoined, going to the door to hold it open for her.
Miss Lanark's thin cheek flushed at the word "we." So this beautiful, warm-looking, kissing woman was going to be taken out with him! She lifted her eyes at the door, and hers and her brother's met.
His brows were quite calm, his forehead smooth, but his gaze met hers with an iron determination in it.
"You had better not interfere with my affairs," was what it plainly said, and she went out, cold with anger and indignation.
Everest came quickly over to the hearth.
"What has that tiresome woman been saying?" he asked.
Regina had resumed her seat, and was gazing into the fire.
"Nothing, dearest, very particular. Only what I know already; that in a worldly sense I am not good enough for you.... And she also seemed to think if you married a rich woman it would be good for your soul, as well as your prospects, though I can't follow her reasoning myself!"