She knew that he was suffering from the injured pride of futile love, almost as much as from the futile love itself.
She wished to put him at his ease in this; but she did not quite give him credit for the full sincerity, and the upright, uncontrolled heartiness of his feelings.
At length he did come up to her, and though, in truth, she was engaged, she at once accepted his offer.

Then she tripped across the room.

"Adolphus," she said, "I can't dance with you, though I said I would.

John Eames has asked me, and I haven't stood up with him before.

You understand, and you'll be a good boy, won't you ?" Crosbie, not being in the least jealous, was a good boy, and sat himself down to rest, hidden behind a door.
For the first few minutes the conversation between Eames and Lily was of a very matter-of-fact kind.