I'd better say good-night.' Her uncle, when he held her hand, stroked it affectionately.

He often laughed at the child's manifold follies, but her prettiness and the _naivete_ which sweetened her inbred artificiality had won his liking.
Much as it would have astonished Paula had she known it, his feeling was for the most part one of pity.
'I suppose you'll go out again ?' Paula said to her cousin as they entered the drawing-room.
'No; I shall read a little and then go to bed.' She added, with a laugh, 'They will sit late in the study, no doubt, with their cigars and steaming glasses.' Paula moved restlessly about the room for a few minutes; then from the door she gave a 'good-night,' and disappeared without further ceremony.
The two men came in very shortly.

Egremont entered the drawing-room alone, and began to turn over books on the table.

Then Annabel rose.
'It promises for another fine day to-morrow,' she said.

'I must get father away for a ramble.