If she is ignorant, he, at all events, is quite aware that there is thunder in the atmosphere.
Tita runs her eye down the card.
"Yes, this dance is yours," says she, looking up at Tom.
"If you would prefer to dance it with Sir Maurice----" begins he.
He is looking at her.

His heart feels on fire.

_Will_ she elect to dance with this husband, who, as report goes, so openly prefers another?
"No, no, no!" cries Tita gaily; "I have promised you.

Maurice can ask me for another later on." "Certainly," says Sir Maurice courteously.
He nods and smiles at them as they leave the recess, but once past his view, his expression changes; his brow grows black as night.
What does it all mean?
Is she as innocent as heaven itself, or as false as hell?
All things point the latter way.
First she had said---- What was it she had said?
That she didn't know whether she were engaged to this dance or not.

A clear putting off--a plan to gain time.