It seemed more discreditable each time he told it, and he scanned the girl's face anxiously as he proceeded, but, like her father, she sat still and made no comment until he had finished.

Then she expressed a strong feeling of gratitude that the Nugent family had not been mixed up in it.
"Why ?" inquired Hardy, bluntly.
"I don't think it was a very nice thing to do," said Miss Nugent, with a superior air.
"It wouldn't have been a very nice thing for you if your brother had married Miss Kybird," said the indignant Jem.

"And you said, if you remember, that you didn't mind what I did." "I don't," said Miss Nugent, noticing with pleasure that the confident air of a few minutes ago had quite disappeared.
"You think I have been behaving badly ?" pursued Hardy.
"I would rather not say what I think," replied Miss Nugent, loftily.
"I have no doubt you meant well, and I should be sorry to hurt your feelings." "Thank you," said Hardy, and sat gloomily gazing about him.

For some time neither of them spoke.
"Where is Jack now ?" inquired the girl, at last.

"He is staying with me for a few days," said Hardy.