This happened directly under the view of Miss Assher, who saw Caterina’s reddening cheeks, saw that she said something impatiently, and that Captain Wybrow moved away in consequence.  There was another person, too, who had noticed this incident with strong interest, and who was moreover aware that Miss Assher not only saw, but keenly observed what was passing.  That other person was Mr. Gilfil, and he drew some painful conclusions which heightened his anxiety for Caterina.

The next morning, in spite of the fine weather, Miss Assher declined riding, and Lady Cheverel, perceiving that there was something wrong between the lovers, took care that they should be left together in the drawing-room.  Miss Assher, seated on the sofa near the fire, was busy with some fancy-work, in which she seemed bent on making great progress this morning.  Captain Wybrow sat opposite with a newspaper in his hand, from which he obligingly read extracts with an elaborately easy air, wilfully unconscious of the contemptuous silence with which she pursued her filigree work.  At length he put down the paper, which he could no longer pretend not to have exhausted, and Miss Assher then said,—­’You seem to be on very intimate terms with Miss Sarti.’

’With Tina? oh yes; she has always been the pet of the house, you know.  We have been quite brother and sister together.’

’Sisters don’t generally colour so very deeply when their brothers approach them.’

‘Does she colour?  I never noticed it.  But she’s a timid little thing.’

’It would be much better if you would not be so hypocritical, Captain Wybrow.  I am confident there has been some flirtation between you.  Miss Sarti, in her position, would never speak to you with the petulance she did last night, if you had not given her some kind of claim on you.’

’My dear Beatrice, now do be reasonable; do ask yourself what earthly probability there is that I should think of flirting with poor little Tina. Is there anything about her to attract that sort of attention?  She is more child than woman.  One thinks of her as a little girl to be petted and played with.’

’Pray, what were you playing at with her yesterday morning, when I came in unexpectedly, and her cheeks were flushed, and her hands trembling?

’Yesterday morning?—­O, I remember.  You know I always tease her about Gilfil, who is over head and ears in love with her; and she is angry at that,—­perhaps, because she likes him.  They were old playfellows years before I came here, and Sir Christopher has set his heart on their marrying.’

’Captain Wybrow, you are very false.  It had nothing to do with Mr. Gilfil that she coloured last night when you leaned over her chair.  You might just as well be candid.  If your own mind is not made up, pray do no violence to yourself.  I am quite ready to give way to Miss Sarti’s superior attractions.  Understand that, so far as I am concerned, you are perfectly at liberty.  I decline any share in the affection of a man who forfeits my respect by duplicity.’