After a pause of two or three minutes, she continued in a still haughtier tone, ’I suppose you are aware, Captain Wybrow, that I expect an explanation of what I have just seen.’

‘I have no explanation, my dear Beatrice,’ he answered at last, making a strong effort over himself, ’except what I have already given you.  I hoped you would never recur to the subject.’

’Your explanation, however, is very far from satisfactory.  I can only say that the airs Miss Sarti thinks herself entitled to put on towards you, are quite incompatible with your position as regards me.  And her behaviour to me is most insulting.  I shall certainly not stay in the house under such circumstances, and mamma must state the reasons to Sir Christopher.’

‘Beatrice,’ said Captain Wybrow, his irritation giving way to alarm, ’I beseech you to be patient, and exercise your good feelings in this affair.  It is very painful, I know, but I am sure you would be grieved to injure poor Caterina—­to bring down my uncle’s anger upon her.  Consider what a poor little dependent thing she is.’

’It is very adroit of you to make these evasions, but do not suppose that they deceive me.  Miss Sarti would never dare to behave to you as she does, if you had not flirted with her, or made love to her.  I suppose she considers your engagement to me a breach of faith to her.  I am much obliged to you, certainly, for making me Miss Sarti’s rival.  You have told me a falsehood, Captain Wybrow.’

’Beatrice, I solemnly declare to you that Caterina is nothing more to me than a girl I naturally feel kindly to—­as a favourite of my uncle’s, and a nice little thing enough.  I should be glad to see her married to Gilfil to-morrow; that’s a good proof that I’m not in love with her, I should think.  As to the past, I may have shown her little attentions, which she has exaggerated and misinterpreted.  What man is not liable to that sort of thing?’

’But what can she found her behaviour on?  What had she been saying to you this morning to make her tremble and turn pale in that way?’

’O, I don’t know.  I just said something about her behaving peevishly.  With that Italian blood of hers, there’s no knowing how she may take what one says.  She’s a fierce little thing, though she seems so quiet generally.’

’But she ought to be made to know how unbecoming and indelicate her conduct is.  For my part, I wonder Lady Cheverel has not noticed her short answers and the airs she puts on.’

’Let me beg of you, Beatrice, not to hint anything of the kind to Lady Cheverel.  You must have observed how strict my aunt is.  It never enters her head that a girl can be in love with a man who has not made her an offer.’

’Well, I shall let Miss Sarti know myself that I have observed her conduct.  It will be only a charity to her.’

’Nay, dear, that will be doing nothing but harm.  Caterina’s temper is peculiar.  The best thing you can do will be to leave her to herself as much as possible.  It will all wear off.  I’ve no doubt she’ll be married to Gilfil before long.  Girls’ fancies are easily diverted from one object to another.  By jove, what a rate my heart is galloping at!  These confounded palpitations get worse instead of better.’