It was clear that he was set upon a wealthy and powerful alliance for her; that the Earl was either coming, or would send his son, he knew; and he knew that nothing so repels a possible suitor as the rumour that the lady has a previous engagement.

In short, he made it a condition of Felix's presence being tolerated at all, that Aurora should carefully abstain from showing the slightest attention to him; that she should ignore his existence.
Nor could she prevent Durand following her without a marked refusal to listen to his conversation, a refusal which would most certainly at once have brought about the dreaded explosion.

She thought it better, under the circumstances, to preserve peace, lest intercourse between her and Felix should be entirely broken off for ever.

This was the secret history of the apparent indifference and neglect which had so deeply hurt him.

The explanation, accompanied as it was with so many tender expressions and caresses, soothed him; he returned her kisses and became calmer.