to read Arabella’s character correctly.  Arabella Trefoil was certainly not a flirt.  In all the horsey conversation Arabella joined, and her low, clear, slow voice could be heard now and then as though she were really animated with the subject.  At Bragton she had never once spoken as though any matter had interested her.  During this time Morton fell into conversation first with Lady Purefoy and then with the two Miss Godolphins, and afterwards for a few minutes with Lady Penwether who knew that he was a county gentleman and a respectable member of the diplomatic profession.  But during the whole evening his ear was intent on the notes of Arabella’s voice; and also, during the whole evening, her eye was watching him.  She would not lose her chance with Lord Rufford for want of any effort on her own part.  If aught were required from her in her present task that might be offensive to Mr. Morton,—­anything that was peremptorily demanded for the effort,—­she would not scruple to offend the man.  But if it might be done without offence, so much the better.  Once he came across the room and said a word to her as she was talking to Lord Rufford and the Purefoys.  “You are really in earnest about riding to-morrow.”

“Oh dear, yes.  Why shouldn’t I be in earnest?”

“You are coming out yourself I hope,” said the Lord.

“I have no horses here of my own, but I have told that man Stubbings to send me something, and as I haven’t been at Bragton for the last seven years I have nothing proper to wear.  I shan’t be called a Goarlyite I hope if I appear in trowsers.”

“Not unless you have a basket of red herrings on your arm,” said Lord Rufford.  Then Morton retired back to the Miss Godolphins finding that he had nothing more to say to Arabella.

He was very angry,—­though he hardly knew why or with whom.  A girl when she is engaged is not supposed to talk to no one but her recognised lover in a mixed party of ladies and gentlemen, and she is especially absolved from such a duty when they chance to meet in the house of a comparative stranger.  In such a house and among such people it was natural that the talk should be about hunting, and as the girl had accepted the loan of a horse it was natural that she should join in such conversation.  She had never sat for a moment apart with Lord Rufford.  It was impossible to say that she had flirted with the man,—­and yet Morton felt that he was neglected, and felt also that he was only there because this pleasure-seeking young Lord had liked to have in his house the handsome girl whom he, Morton, intended to marry.  He felt thoroughly ashamed of being there as it were in the train of Miss Trefoil.  He was almost disposed to get up and declare that the girl was engaged to marry him.  He thought that he could put an end to the engagement without breaking his heart; but if the engagement was an engagement he could not submit to treatment such as this, either from her or from others.  He would see her for the last time in the country at the ball on the following evening,—­as of course he would not be near her during the hunting,—­and then he would make her understand that she must be altogether his or altogether cease to be his.  And so resolving he went to bed, refusing to join the gentlemen in the smoking-room.