eeighto’clockcoach.’
“Iexpressedregretthathehadhadtowaithemadenoanswer,butstirredthefire,asiftocoveramovementofimpatiencethenhescannedmeagain.
“IfeltaninwardsatisfactionthatIhadnot,inthefirstmomentofmeeting,betrayedanywarmth,anyenthusiasmthatIhadsalutedthismanwithaquietandsteadyphlegm.
“‘HaveyouquitebrokenwithTynedaleandSeacombe?’heaskedhastily.
“‘IdonotthinkIshallhaveanyfurthercommunicationwiththemmyrefusaloftheirproposalswill,Ifancy,operateasabarrieragainstallfutureintercourse.’
“‘Why,’saidhe,‘Imayaswellremindyouattheveryoutsetofourconnection,that“nomancanservetwomasters.”AcquaintancewithLordTynedalewillbeincompatiblewithassistancefromme.’Therewasakindofgratuitousmenaceinhiseyeashelookedatmeinfinishingthisobservation.
“Feelingnodispositiontoreplytohim,Icontentedmyselfwithaninwardspeculationonthedifferenceswhichexistintheconstitutionofmen’sminds.IdonotknowwhatinferenceMr.Crimsworthdrewfrommysilence—whetherheconsidereditasymptomofcontumacityoranevidenceofmybeingcowedbyhisperemptorymanner.Afteralongandhardstareatme,herosesharplyfromhisseat.
“‘To-morrow,’saidhe,‘Ishallcallyourattentiontosomeotherpointsbutnowitissuppertime,andMrs.Crimsworthisprobablywaitingwillyoucome?’
“Hestrodefromtheroom,andIfollowed.Incrossingthehall,IwonderedwhatMrs.Crimsworthmightbe.‘Isshe,’thoughtI,‘asalientowhatIlikeasTynedale,Seacombe,theMissesSeacombe—astheaffectionaterelativenowstridingbeforeme?orisshebetterthanthese?ShallI,inconversingwithher,feelfreetoshowsomethingofmyrealnatureor—’Furtherconjectureswerearrestedbymyentranceintothedining-room.
“Alamp,burningunderashadeofground-glass,showedahandsomeapartment,wainscotedwithoaksupperwaslaidonthetablebythefire-place,standingasifwaitingourentrance,appearedaladyshewasyoung,tall,andwellshapedherdresswashandsomeandfashionable:somuchmyfirstglancesufficedtoascertain.Agays