.

The second week of her visit was just ending, and the return to Wanley
was in view, when, on entering the drawing-room in the afternoon, she
found Hubert Eldon sitting there with Mrs. Westlake. If it had been
possible to draw back her foot and escape unnoticed! But she was
observed; Hubert had already risen. Adela fancied that Stella was
closely observing her; it was not so in reality, but the persuasion
wrung her heart to courage. Hubert, who did make narrow observance of
her face, was struck with the cold dignity of her smile. In speaking
to him she was much less friendly than at the Boscobels'. He thought he
understood, and was in a measure right. A casual meeting in the world
was one thing; a visit which might be supposed half intended to herself
called for another demeanour. He addressed a few remarks to her, then
pursued his conversation with Mrs. Westlake. Adela had time to consider
his way of speaking; it was entirely natural, that of a polished man
who has the habit of society, and takes pleasure in it. With utter
inconsistency she felt pain that he could be so at his ease in her
presence. In all likelihood he had come with no other end save that of
continuing his acquaintance with Mrs. Westlake. As she listened to
his voice, once more an inexplicable and uncontrollable mood possessed
her--a mood of petulance, of impatience with him and with herself; with
him for almost ignoring her presence, with herself for the distant way
in which she had met him. An insensate rebellion against circumstances
encouraged her to feel hurt; by a mystery of the mind intervening time
was cancelled, and it seemed unnatural, hard to bear, that Hubert should
by preference address another than herself. An impulse similar to that
which had forced her to speak his name in conversation with Stella now
constrained her to break silence, to say something which would require
a reply. Her feeling became a sort of self-pity; he regarded her as
beneath his notice, he wished her to see that his indifference was
absolute; why should he treat her so cruelly?

She added a few words to a remark Mrs. Westlake made, and, the moment
she had spoken, was sensible that her tone had been strangely impulsive.
Stella glanced at her. Hubert, too, turned his eyes, smiled, and made
some reply; she had no understanding of what he said. Had not force
failed her she would have risen and left the room. Her heart sank in yet
crueller humiliation; she believed th