As she draws closer to him, he fixes his eyes upon her as if to compel a glance from her in return; but t.i.ta, who is accompanied by Minnie Hescott, does not so much as once let her gaze wander in his direction. She comes nearer--ever nearer, laughing and talking gaily, and pa.s.ses him, still without recognition of any sort. As her skirt sweeps against him, he speaks.

"Are you going out, t.i.ta?"

It is the first word that has pa.s.sed between them since last night--since she left his room. A sudden angry determination to _make_ her speak to him, induces him now to get before her, and bar her pa.s.sage to the steps.

"Yes," returns she coldly, graciously, briefly.

She leans back a little, as if to catch up the tail of her white gown--in reality, to avoid looking at him.

"Just here there is shelter," says Rylton, speaking hurriedly, as if to gain time, and keep her from gliding past him. "But outside---- And you have a very thin frock on. Shall I get you a shawl?"

"No, thank you."

Her manner is still perfectly gracious, but still she refuses to look at him. The gathering up of her frock is evidently causing her a great deal of trouble.

"Shall I take you out some cushions, then?"

"No, thank you."

She has conquered the frock now, but still she does not look at him.

In fact, she turns to Minnie, and, as though forgetful of his presence, murmurs some little thing or other to her.

"If you are going to the gardens," says Rylton, with Heaven knows what intention--perhaps a desire to show her how little he cares for her childish anger, perhaps to bring matters to their worst--to know what she means--"may I come with you?"

t.i.ta gives him a glance--the fleetest; a smile--the briefest.

_"No,_ thank you," says she, a faint emphasis upon the "No" being the only change in her even tone.

As she speaks she goes down the steps, Minnie Hescott following her.

END OF VOL. I.

COLLECTION

OF

BRITISH AUTHORS

TAUCHNITZ EDITION.

VOL. 2957.

THE HOYDEN. BY MRS. HUNGERFORD.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. II.

THE HOYDEN

A NOVEL

BY MRS. HUNGERFORD

AUTHOR OF

"MOLLY BAWN," "PHYLLIS," "A CONQUERING HEROINE,"

ETC. ETC.