Her indifference was evidently genuine.
"She has not grown thin and parted with what little looks she possessed on Dick's account," he said to himself; and the remembrance slipped across his mind of Hugh's first word when he recovered consciousness after drowning--"Rachel." "I would have asked Dick to dine," continued Lord Newhaven, when the servants had gone, "but I thought two was company and three none, and that it was not fair on you and Violet to have him on your hands, as I am obliged to go to London on business by the night express." He was amazed at the instantaneous effect of his words.
Rachel's face became suddenly livid, and she sank back in her chair.

He saw that it was only by a supreme effort that she prevented herself from fainting.

The truth flashed into his mind.
"She knows," he said to himself.

"That imbecile, that brainless viper to whom I am tied, has actually confided in her.

And she and Scarlett are in love with each other, and the suspense is wearing her out." He looked studiously away from her, and continued a desultory conversation; but his face darkened.
The little boys came in, and pressed themselves one on each side of their father, their eyes glued on the crystallized cherries.