"You are going to leave us in an hour's time!" He ventured a step nearer.

"I am coming back," he pleaded, "the day after to-morrow." "You play very badly!" "I might improve--if you would teach me." "Might you?
Then I will teach you!" She turned, bright and rosy, to her step-mother.

"I choose Mr.Arnold Brinkworth," she said.
Here, again, there appeared to be something in a name unknown to celebrity, which nevertheless produced its effect--not, this time, on Miss Silvester, but on Sir Patrick.

He looked at Mr.Brinkworth with a sudden interest and curiosity.

If the lady of the house had not claimed his attention at the moment he would evidently have spoken to the dark young man.
But it was Lady Lundie's turn to choose a second player on her side.
Her brother-in-law was a person of some importance; and she had her own motives for ingratiating herself with the head of the family.