Then her face changed.

She stooped over the contract.

Below the signature of the firm of timber-merchants stood large and full that of 'Edmund Mannering.' The Squire smiled.
'Now are you satisfied ?' She returned the contract to its envelope, and both to her pocket.
Then she looked at him uncertainly.
'May I ask what that meant ?' Her voice was still strained, and her eyes by no means meek.
'I am sorry,' said the Squire hurriedly.

'I don't know--it was a whim.

I wanted to have the pleasure--' 'Of seeing how a person looks under a sudden disappointment ?' said Elizabeth, with rather pinched lips.
'Not at all.