As he spoke a few natural words, Everard chanced to notice that the husband's eye was upon him, and with what a look! If ever a man declared in his countenance the worst species of jealous temper, Mr.Widdowson did so.

His fixed smile became sardonic.
Presently Barfoot and he were introduced.

They had nothing to say to each other, but Everard maintained a brief conversation just to observe the man.

Turning at length, he began to talk with Mrs.Widdowson, and, because he was conscious of the jealous eye, assumed an especial sprightliness, an air of familiar pleasantry, to which the lady responded, but with a nervous hesitation.
The arrival of these people was an intense annoyance to him.

Another quarter of an hour and things would have come to an exciting pass between Rhoda and himself; he would have heard how she received a declaration of love.