"She is very much excited rather than clever just at present," he answered;--upon which Lady Penwether shook her head.

Miss Penge whispered to Miss Godolphin that Miss Trefoil was making the most of it; and Mr.Morton, who had come into the room while the conversation apart was going on, had certainly been of the same opinion.
She had seated herself in an arm-chair away from the others after that conversation was over, and as she sat there Morton came up to her.

He had been so little intimate with the members of the party assembled and had found himself so much alone, that he had only lately heard the story about Major Caneback, and had now only heard it imperfectly.

But he did see that an absolute intimacy had been effected where two days before there had only been a slight acquaintance; and he believed that this sudden rush had been in some way due to the accident of which he had been told.

"You know what has happened ?" he said.
"Oh, Mr.Morton; do not talk to me about it!" "Were you not speaking of it to Lord Rufford ?" "Of course I was.