This was evidently not the first time that reference had been made between Roderick and the Cavaliere to the young man's possible passion, and Roderick had failed to consider it the simplest and most natural course to say in three words to the vigilant little gentleman that there was no cause for alarm--his affections were preoccupied.

Rowland hoped, silently, with some dryness, that his motives were of a finer kind than they seemed to be.

He turned away; it was irritating to look at Roderick's radiant, unscrupulous eagerness.

The tide was setting toward the supper-room and he drifted with it to the door.

The crowd at this point was dense, and he was obliged to wait for some minutes before he could advance.