Replying to the latter's inquiry for his sister that she had nearly recovered, he said, 'I don't see my father's neighbours anywhere.' 'They have gone home,' replied Somerset, a trifle drily.

'They asked me to make their apologies to you for leading you to expect they would remain.

Miss Power was too anxious about Miss De Stancy to care to stay longer.' The eyes of De Stancy and the speaker met for an instant.

That curious guarded understanding, or inimical confederacy, which arises at moments between two men in love with the same woman, was present here; and in their mutual glances each said as plainly as by words that her departure had ruined his evening's hope.
They were now about as much in one mood as it was possible for two such differing natures to be.

Neither cared further for elaborating giddy curves on that town-hall floor.