Maltravers paused, and picked up a snowdrop.
"It is pretty," he said; "do you love flowers ?" "Oh, dearly," answered Alice, with some enthusiasm; "I never saw many till I came here." "Now then I can go on," thought Maltravers; why, I cannot say, for I do not see the _sequitur_; but on he went _in medias res_.

"Alice, you sing charmingly." "Ah! sir, you--you--" she stopped abruptly, and trembled visibly.
"Yes, I overheard you, Alice." "And you are angry ?" "I!--Heaven forbid! It is a _talent_--but you don't know what that is; I mean it is an excellent thing to have an ear; and a voice, and a heart for music; and you have all three." He paused, for he felt his hand touched; Alice suddenly clasped and kissed it.

Maltravers thrilled through his whole frame; but there was something in the girl's look that showed she was wholly unaware that she had committed an unmaidenly or forward action.
"I was so afraid you would be angry," she said, wiping her eyes as she dropped his hand; "and now I suppose you know all." "All!" "Yes; how I listened to you every evening, and lay awake the whole night with the music ringing in my ears, till I tried to go over it myself; and so at last I ventured to sing aloud.

I like that much better than learning to read." All this was delightful to Maltravers: the girl had touched upon one of his weak points; however, he remained silent.

Alice continued: "And now, sir, I hope you will let me come and sit outside the door every evening and hear you; I will make no noise--I will be so quiet." "What, in that cold corridor, these bitter nights ?" "I am used to cold, sir.