Your friend Bess is a beautiful girl!" Richard brought forth the last with hurried unction.

It was a cunning remark to make; it drew Dorothy's attention off Mr.Fopling, whom she was preparing to defend with spirit, and centered it upon herself.

At Richard's observation, so flattering to Bess, she tossed her head.
"Is she ?" said Dorothy, with a falling inflection, vastly severe.
The two were near a window and quite alone, for Bess had stepped into the hall to give directions to a servant.

Mr.Fopling sat the length of the room away, wrapped in meditation.

Richard looked tenderly apologetic, and Dorothy, after sparkling for a jealous moment, softened to be in sympathy with Richard.
And the strange thing was that neither had ever said one word of love to the other.