You did it once before--at the Minsters' dance; not, perhaps, that you deliberately meant to; but you did it.

And your subject was then, as it is now, Captain Selwyn--my friend--" Her voice became unsteady again and her mouth curved; but she held her head high and her eyes were as fearlessly direct as a child's.
"And now," she said calmly, "you know where I stand and what I will not stand.

Natural deference to an older woman, the natural self-distrust of a girl in the presence of social experience--and under its protection as she had a right to suppose--prevented me from checking you when your conversation became distasteful.

You, perhaps, mistook my reticence for acquiescence; and you were mistaken.

I am still quite willing to remain on agreeable terms with you, if you wish, and to forget what you have done to me this morning." If Rosamund had anything left to say, or any breath to say it, there were no indications of it.