t was false to me!" Rebecca said, fixing her eyes upon him
for an instant, and then turning away into the window.

Jos blushed violently. That organ which he was accused by Rebecca of
not possessing began to thump tumultuously. He recalled the days when
he had fled from her, and the passion which had once inflamed him--the
days when he had driven her in his curricle: when she had knit the
green purse for him: when he had sate enraptured gazing at her white
arms and bright eyes.

"I know you think me ungrateful," Rebecca continued, coming out of the
window, and once more looking at him and addressing him in a low
tremulous voice. "Your coldness, your averted looks, your manner when
we have met of late--when I came in just now, all proved it to me. But
were there no reasons why I should avoid you? Let your own heart answer
that question. Do you think my husband was too much inclined to
welcome you? The only unkind words I have ever had from him (I will do
Captain Crawley that justice) have been about you--and most cruel,
cruel words they were."

"Good gracious! what have I done?" asked Jos in a flurry of pleasure
and perplexity; "what have I done--to--to--?"

"Is jealousy nothing?" said Rebecca. "He makes me miserable about you.
And whatever it might have been once--my heart is all his. I am
innocent now. Am I not, Mr. Sedley?"

All Jos's blood tingled with delight, as he surveyed this victim to his
attractions. A few adroit words, one or two knowing tender glances of
the eyes, and his heart was inflamed again and his doubts and
suspicions forgotten. From Solomon downwards, have not wiser men than
he been cajoled and befooled by women? "If the worst comes to the
worst," Becky thought, "my retreat is secure; and I have a right-hand
seat in the barouche."

There is no knowing into what declarations of love and ardour the
tumultuous passions of Mr. Joseph might have led him, if Isidor the
valet had not made his reappearance at this minute, and begun to busy
himself about the domestic affairs. Jos, who was just going to gasp
out an avowal, choked almost with the emotion that he was obliged to
restrain. Rebecca too bethought her that it was time she should go in
and comfort her dearest Amelia. "Au revoir," she said, kissing her
hand to Mr. Joseph, and tapped gently at the door of his sister's
apartment. As she entered and closed the door on herself, he sank down
in a chair, and gazed and sighed and puff