A very useful acquaintance, I assure you!" said Amy, smiling.
"Is he married ?" asked Hope.
There was the least little blush upon Amy's cheek as she heard this question; but so slight, that if any body had thought he observed it, he would have looked again and said, "No, I was mistaken," Perhaps, too, there was the least little fluttering of a heart otherwise unconscious.
But words are like breezes that blow hither and thither, and the leaves upon the most secluded trees in the very inmost covert of the wood may sometimes feel a breath, and stir with responsive music before they are aware.
Amy Waring replied, pleasantly, that he was not married.

Hope Wayne said, "What a pity!" Amy smiled, and asked, "Why a pity ?" "Because such a man would be so happy if he were married, and would make others so happy! He has been in love, you may be sure." "Yes," replied Amy; "I have no doubt of that.

We don't see men of forty, or so, who have not been touched--" "By what ?" asked Lawrence Newt, who had come up silently, and now stood beside her.
"Yes, by what ?" interposed Miss Fanny, who had been very busy during the whole evening, trying to get into her hands the threads of the various interests that she saw flying and streaming all around her.

She had seen Mr.Alfred Dinks devoted to Miss Wayne, and was therefore confirmed in her belief that they were engaged.

She had seen Abel flirting with Grace, and was therefore satisfied that he cared nothing about her.