Seeing that I did not make much headway, and that Richard had stepped back, Mr.Langenau said, "Allow me," and held the cup while I managed to pour the tea into it.

He thanked me stiffly, and without looking at either of them I got up and went out of the room, Richard following me.
"Will you wait here while I call Sophie to get something for you ?" he said a little coldly.
"No, I do not want anything; I wish you would not say anything more about it; it only hurt me for a moment." "Will you go into the parlor, then ?" "No--yes, that is," I said, and capriciously went, alone, for he did not follow me.
I was wanted for cards, but I would not play, and sat down by one of the windows, a little out of the light.

This window opened upon the piazza.
After a little while Richard, walking up and down the piazza, stopped by it, and said to me: "I hope you won't think it unreasonable in me to ask, Pauline; but how in the world did you happen to be making tea for that--that man in there ?" "I happened to make tea for Mr.Langenau because your sister asked me to," I said angrily; "you had better speak to her about it." "You may be sure I shall," he said, walking away from the window.
Presently the tutor came in from the hall by the door near the piano, and sat down by it without being asked, and began to play softly, as if not to interrupt the game of cards.

I could not help thinking in what good taste this was, since he had promised not to wait for any more importunities.

The game at cards soon languished, for Charlotte Benson really had an enthusiasm for music, and was not happy till she was at liberty to give her whole attention to it.