Anthony has sent us word what a horsewoman you are.' Miss Assher turned to Mr.Gilfil with her most beaming smile, and expressed her thanks with the elaborate graciousness of a person who means to be thought charming, and is sure of success.
'Pray do not thank me,' said Mr.Gilfil, 'till you have tried the mare.
She has been ridden by Lady Sara Linter for the last two years; but one lady's taste may not be like another's in horses, any more than in other matters.' While this conversation was passing, Captain Wybrow was leaning against the mantelpiece, contenting himself with responding from under his indolent eyelids to the glances Miss Assher was constantly directing towards him as she spoke.

'She is very much in love with him,' thought Caterina.

But she was relieved that Anthony remained passive in his attentions.

She thought, too, that he was looking paler and more languid than usual.

'If he didn't love her very much--if he sometimes thought of the past with regret, I think I could bear it all, and be glad to see Sir Christopher made happy.' During dinner there was a little incident which confirmed these thoughts.
When the sweets were on the table, there was a mould of jelly just opposite Captain Wybrow, and being inclined to take some himself, he first invited Miss Assher, who coloured, and said, in rather a sharper key than usual, 'Have you not learned by this time that I never take jelly ?' 'Don't you ?' said Captain Wybrow, whose perceptions were not acute enough for him to notice the difference of a semitone.