Miss Nugent smiled upon him, and Hardy also gave him a smile of kindly encouragement, but this he ignored.

He crossed the room and bade Mrs.Kingdom good-bye; and then in a few disjointed words asked Mrs.Kybird whether he could be of any assistance in seeing her home.
"I'm sure I'm much obliged to you," said that lady, as she rose.

"It don't seem much use for me waiting for my future son-in-law.

I wish you good afternoon, ma'am.

I can understand now why Jack didn't come." With this parting shot she quitted the room and, leaning on the doctor's arm, sailed majestically down the path to the gate, every feather on her hat trembling in response to the excitement below.
"Good-natured of him," said Hardy, glancing from the window, with a triumphant smile.
"Very," said Miss Nugent, coldly, as she took a seat by her aunt.