aintest suspicion that the sarcasm derived any of
its bitterness from truth. Underneath all her sense of wrong, which was
rather instinctive than reflective--underneath all the madness of
her jealousy, and her ungovernable impulses of resentment and
vindictiveness--underneath all this scorching passion there were still
left some hidden crystal dews of trust, of self-reproof, of belief that
Anthony was trying to do the right. Love had not all gone to feed the
fires of hatred. Tina still trusted that Anthony felt more for her than
he seemed to feel; she was still far from suspecting him of a wrong
which a woman resents even more than inconstancy. And she threw out this
taunt simply as the most intense expression she could find for the anger
of the moment.

As she stood nearly in the middle of the room, her little body trembling
under the shock of passions too strong for it, her very lips pale, and
her eyes gleaming, the door opened, and Miss Assher appeared, tall,
blooming, and splendid, in her walking costume. As she entered, her face
wore the smile appropriate to the exits and entrances of a young lady who
feels that her presence is an interesting fact; but the next moment she
looked at Caterina with grave surprise, and then threw a glance of angry
suspicion at Captain Wybrow, who wore an air of weariness and vexation.

'Perhaps you are too much engaged to walk out, Captain Wybrow? I will go
alone.'

'No, no, I am coming,' he answered, hurrying towards her, and leading her
out of the room; leaving poor Caterina to feel all the reaction of shame
and self-reproach after her outburst of passion.

Chapter 12

'Pray, what is likely to be the next scene in the drama between you and
Miss Sarti?' said Miss Assher to Captain Wybrow as soon as they were out
on the gravel. 'It would be agreeable to have some idea of what is
coming.'

Captain Wybrow was silent. He felt out of humour, wearied, annoyed. There
come moments when one almost determines never again to oppose anything
but dead silence to an angry woman. 'Now then, confound it,' he said to
himself, 'I'm going to be battered on the other flank.' He looked
resolutely at the horizon, with something more like a frown on his face
than Beatrice had ever seen there.

After a pause of two or three minutes, she continued in a still haughtier
tone, 'I suppose you are aware, Captain Wybrow, that I expect an
explanation of what I have just seen.'

'I have no explanati