From Alexandrina he encountered during the week none of that raillery which he had expected.

He had promised to explain to her before he left the castle all the circumstances of his acquaintance with Lily, and she at last showed herself determined to demand the fulfilment of this promise; but, previous to that, she said nothing to manifest either offence or a lessened friendship.

And I regret to say, that in the intercourse which had taken place between them, that friendship was by no means less tender that it had been in London.
"And when will you tell me what you promised ?" she asked him one afternoon, speaking in a low voice, as they were standing together at the window of the billiard-room, in that idle half-hour which always occurs before the necessity for dinner preparation has come.

She had been riding and was still in her habit, and he had returned from shooting.

She knew that she looked more than ordinarily well in her tall straight hat and riding gear, and was wont to hang about the house, walking skilfully with her upheld drapery, during this period of the day.