As soon as I was once seated her fan flew out, and she whispered behind it: 'Are you mad ?' 'Madly in love,' I replied; 'but in no other sense.' 'I have no patience! You cannot understand what I am suffering!' she said.

'What are you to say to Ronald, to Major Chevenix, to my aunt ?' Your aunt ?' I cried, with a start.

'_Peccavi_! is she here ?' 'She is in the card-room at whist,' said Flora.
'Where she will probably stay all the evening ?' I suggested.
'She may,' she admitted; 'she generally does!' 'Well, then, I must avoid the card-room,' said I, 'which is very much what I had counted upon doing.

I did not come here to play cards, but to contemplate a certain young lady to my heart's content--if it can ever be contented!--and to tell her some good news.' 'But there are still Ronald and the Major!' she persisted.

'They are not card-room fixtures! Ronald will be coming and going.