We hate and we love--the latter especially; but to tell each other why is to break that little tacit rule of finding out for ourselves which is the delight of our lives and the source of our triumphs.

You can say, you know, if you like, but you're not obliged." Mr.Longdon transferred to him something of the same colder apprehension, looking at him manifestly harder than ever before and finding in his eyes also no doubt a consciousness more charged.

He presently got up, but, without answering Vanderbank, fixed again Mrs.
Brook, to whom he echoed without expression: "Hate you ?" The next moment, while he remained in presence with Vanderbank, Mrs.
Brook was pointing out her meaning to him from the cushioned corner he had quitted.

"Why, when you come back to town you come straight, as it were, here." "Ah what's that," the Duchess asked in his interest, "but to follow Nanda as closely as possible, or at any rate to keep well with her ?" Mrs.Brook, however, had no ear for this plea.

"And when I, coming here too and thinking only of my chance to 'meet' you, do my very sweetest to catch your eye, you're entirely given up--!" "To trying of course," the Duchess broke in afresh, "to keep well with ME!" Mrs.Brook now had a smile for her.