‘Are you angry with me?’ he said.  ’With me, if anybody.  Not Prim.’

In the vagaries of human nature all things are possible.  And it is undoubted that in the first flash of eyes which greeted Mr. Rollo there was mingled a certain gleam of fun.  Whether the prospect of a tilt had its excitements—­whether she was curious to see how he would carry his new office,—­there it was.  But then the eye shadows grew deep and dark.  She drew back a little, not giving her hand; making instead a somewhat formal courtesy.

’I was called here, it seems, to await your commands, Mr. Rollo.  May I have them, if they are ready?’

‘They are not ready,’ he answered, in a very low tone.  ’Let Miss Wych Hazel give commands to herself,—­and be loyal and true in her obedience to them.’

’I have given myself a good many since I have been in this room,’ said the girl, proudly.  ’If I had not I should not be here now.’

‘Will you sit down?’

’Thank you—­no.  Unless we are to spend the rest of the night in quiet conversation.’

’Then we will make the conversation short.  Miss Hazel, the company and the occasion you came to grace to-night are unworthy of the honour.’

He paused for a reply, but, as none came, he went on: 

’You do not know it now, but in the mean time I know it; and I must act upon my knowledge.  I have come to take you home.  Cannot you trust me, that I would not—­for much—­do anything so displeasing to you, without good reason?’

’You men are so fond of being “trusted!” ’ she said—­quietly, though there was some bitterness in the tone—­’it is almost a wonder it never occurs to you that a woman might like it too!  I know every one of the carriage party with whom I came.  And that I did not ask Mr. Falkirk’s leave before I left home was only because I did not know that I should need it.’  But with that came a quick painful blush, as suddenly remembering other leave that must now be asked.

’I believe you may be trusted thoroughly, so far as your knowledge goes,’ he answered, gravely.  Then waited a moment and went on.

’You have had no supper.  Will you take some refreshment before we set out upon our return journey?’

She stood, leaning against the wall, not looking at anything but the floor—­and not seeing that;—­as still as if she had not heard him.  Thinking—­what was she thinking?—­Then suddenly stood up and answered.

’I can but obey.  May I ask you to wait five minutes?—­Stand away, Prim, and let me pass.’

But he stayed her.

’It is better not to set people’s tongues at work.  I have sent a message to the Miss Powders, to the effect that Miss Kennedy had been suddenly summoned home, and making your excuses.  As from yourself.  No name but yours appeared.’

If there was any one thing he had done which tried her almost unbearably, it was that!  There was a sort of quiet despair in the way she turned from him and the door together, and took the chair she had refused, and sat waiting.  Rollo brought her silently a cup of coffee and a plate with something to eat, but both were refused.