A hint--more than a hint--of a fear that she would try to hold him in spite of himself.

She smiled--small, even teeth clenched and eyelids contracted cruelly--as she read a second time, with this unflattering suggestion obtruding.

The humiliation of being jilted! And by such a man!--the private shame--the public disgrace--She sprang up, crunching her foot hard down upon one of Selina's hands.

"What is it ?" said she angrily, at her maid's cry of pain.
"Nothing, Miss," replied Selina, quickly hiding the wounded hand.

"You moved so quick I hadn't time to draw away.