All the party, except Mr.
Gilfil, were in the drawing-room when the proposition was made; and when Miss Assher rose to go, she looked towards Captain Wybrow, expecting to see him rise too; but he kept his seat near the fire, turning his eyes towards the newspaper which he had been holding unread in his hand.
'Are you not coming, Anthony ?' said Lady Cheverel, noticing Miss Assher's look of expectation.
'I think not, if you'll excuse me,' he answered, rising and opening the door; 'I feel a little chilled this morning, and I am afraid of the cold rooms and draughts.' Miss Assher reddened, but said nothing, and passed on, Lady Cheverel accompanying her.
Caterina was seated at work in the oriel window.

It was the first time she and Anthony had been alone together, and she had thought before that he wished to avoid her.

But now, surely, he wanted to speak to her--he wanted to say something kind.

Presently he rose from his seat near the fire, and placed himself on the ottoman opposite to her.
'Well, Tina, and how have you been all this long time ?' Both the tone and the words were an offence to her; the tone was so different from the old one, the words were so cold and unmeaning.

She answered, with a little bitterness,--'I think you needn't ask.