That day the prayer seemed to be answered, for after some remarks on her pale looks at breakfast, Caterina passed the morning quietly, Miss Assher and Captain Wybrow being out on a riding excursion.  In the evening there was a dinner-party, and after Caterina had sung a little, Lady Cheverel remembering that she was ailing, sent her to bed, where she soon sank into a deep sleep.  Body and mind must renew their force to suffer as well as to enjoy.

On the morrow, however, it was rainy, and every one must stay in-doors; so it was resolved that the guests should be taken over the house by Sir Christopher, to hear the story of the architectural alterations, the family portraits, and the family relics.  All the party, except Mr. Gilfil, were in the drawing-room when the proposition was made; and when Miss Assher rose to go, she looked towards Captain Wybrow, expecting to see him rise too; but he kept his seat near the fire, turning his eyes towards the newspaper which he had been holding unread in his hand.

‘Are you not coming, Anthony?’ said Lady Cheverel, noticing Miss Assher’s look of expectation.

‘I think not, if you’ll excuse me,’ he answered, rising and opening the door; ’I feel a little chilled this morning, and I am afraid of the cold rooms and draughts.’

Miss Assher reddened, but said nothing, and passed on, Lady Cheverel accompanying her.

Caterina was seated at work in the oriel window.  It was the first time she and Anthony had been alone together, and she had thought before that he wished to avoid her.  But now, surely, he wanted to speak to her—­he wanted to say something kind.  Presently he rose from his seat near the fire, and placed himself on the ottoman opposite to her.

‘Well, Tina, and how have you been all this long time?’ Both the tone and the words were an offence to her; the tone was so different from the old one, the words were so cold and unmeaning.  She answered, with a little bitterness,—­’I think you needn’t ask.  It doesn’t make much difference to you.’

‘Is that the kindest thing you have to say to me after my long absence?’

‘I don’t know why you should expect me to say kind things.’

Captain Wybrow was silent.  He wished very much to avoid allusions to the past or comments on the present.  And yet he wished to be well with Caterina.  He would have liked to caress her, make her presents, and have her think him very kind to her.  But these women are plaguy perverse!  There’s no bringing them to look rationally at anything.  At last he said, ’I hoped you would think all the better of me, Tina, for doing as I have done, instead of bearing malice towards me.  I hoped you would see that it is the best thing for every one—­the best for your happiness too.’

‘O pray don’t make love to Miss Assher for the sake of my happiness,’ answered Tina.

At this moment the door opened, and Miss Assher entered, to fetch her reticule, which lay on the harpsichord.  She gave a keen glance at Caterina, whose face was flushed, and saying to Captain Wybrow with a slight sneer, ’Since you are so chill I wonder you like to sit in the window,’ left the room again immediately.