She knew that she had said more than she meant to say, and that Colonel Vaughan was scrutinising her with his calm, collected mind and penetrating eyes.
'I am going out now, and you promised to ride with papa, I think,' she said abruptly.
'But you must not go until you have told me how I have displeased you,' said Colonel Vaughan, rising and detaining her.

He had such a power over her that he always wormed her thoughts out of her.
'I did not like to hear you saying what you did not mean, to Miss Nugent,' said Freda, as if she were obliged to make a confession; 'and I think it beneath a man like you to pay frivolous compliments to a girl you must despise.' 'Oh, is that all! I make a point of complimenting handsome girls, _pour passer le temps_; it is the only way of getting on with half of them.
You must forgive me this once.' Freda looked at him, and even he, clever as he was, could not tell whether her glance expressed pity, contempt, or love.

She turned away, and left the room without speaking; he made another movement to detain her, but she was gone; his thoughts were as follows:-- 'Charming girl! yes, she is charming: of a truthful, noble, trusting nature; still too _prononcee_ for a woman.

I scarcely think I love, much as I must admire that sort of girl; and as a wife, I should be afraid of her.

Yet she provokes me, interests me.