at each other.

Was she then satisfied? Could she leave him now and draw a hard line
between this hour and the future? Less satisfied than ever. His gaze
was a mystery; it seemed so cold, and yet, and yet--what did it suggest
to her? That just observable tremor on his lip; that slight motion of
the forehead, those things spoke to her miraculously sharpened sense,
and yet she could not interpret their language. It was very far from
the look she had yearned for, yet perhaps it affected her more
profoundly than a frank gaze of kindness would have done.

He moved a little, again glancing at the inner door.

'I was there myself,' were his next words.

'Yes, I saw you. In the Hall, I mean; not only afterwards.'

Uttered without forethought--she desired to say that and had said it.

'Did you?' he said, more coldly still.

'Gilbert pointed you out to us.'

It was true, and it involved a falsehood. Egremont happened to regard
her as she spoke, and at once a blush came to her cheeks. To what was
she falling? Why did she tell untruths without the least need? She
could not understand the motive which had impelled her to that.

Egremont had a distinct frown on his face. It was as though he read her
deceit and despised her for it. Thyrza added, confusedly:

'My sister went with us. She hadn't meant to, but Gilbert persuaded her
at last.'

'Do you remember which piece you liked best?'

'No, I couldn't say. It was all so beautiful. I liked the songs so
much.'

'But Mr. Grail must take you to hear better singers than those.'

'Weren't they good?' she asked in astonishment.

'Certainly not bad, but not really excellent.'

He mentioned one or two world-echoed names, and spoke in particular of
a concert shortly to be given, at which such singers would be heard.

'You have heard them?' Thyrza asked, gazing at him.

'Several times.'

'I should be almost afraid.'

He thought it a wonderful word to come from this untaught girl. Again
their eyes met. He laughed.

'Something like my own feeling when I got out at Niagara Station, and
began to walk towards the Falls. I dreaded the first sight of them.'

He was purposely turning it to a jest. He durst not reply to her in her
own mood. And he saw that she had not understood.

'You have heard of Niagara?'

'No, Mr. Egremont. Will you tell me about it?'

He made a very brief pause, and she noticed it with fear. Did he
despise her ignorance, or did he think her troubleso