"The warning comes too late," he said. "I must make a desperate effort, or I shall be caught in fresh toils."
"Well, the effort can be easily made, since you are going away."
"But I shall carry the remembrance with me. I shall not forget our present conversation, and if I return I will remind you of it."
"I have very little faith in the promise. By that time you will probably have changed your mind."
"You must entertain a very poor opinion of me, Miss Byrom, if you really think so."
"I don't imagine you differ from the rest of your sex. Men are proverbially inconstant. 'Out of sight, out of mind,' you know."
"On my return you will find me unchanged," he said.
So engrossed was Atherton by the young lady near him, that he had not noticed the entrance of Constance, with Jemmy Dawson and Monica. But chancing to look up at the moment, he perceived her standing at a little distance, with her large eyes fixed upon him. The expression of her countenance showed that she had overheard what had passed between him and Miss Byrom. With a disdainful glance, she moved away with her father.
Atherton was quite confounded, and for a moment could not speak, but at length he stammered:
"Do you see who is in the room?"