for MY society."

"Precisely; I invite him for my own."

But the whispers and responses were alike unheeded by their object.
For, at the doorway, entering with Mrs. Jessop, was a tall girl in deep
mourning. We knew her--we both knew her--our dream at Enderley--our
Nut-browne Mayde.

John was near to the door--their eyes met. She bowed--he returned it.
He was very pale. For Miss March, her face and neck were all in a
glow. Neither spoke, nor offered more than this passing
acknowledgment, and she moved on.

She came and sat down beside me, accidentally, I believe; but when she
saw me she held out her hand. We exchanged a word or two--her manner
was unaltered; but she spoke hurriedly, and her fingers had their old
nervous twitch. She said this meeting was to her "unexpected," but
"she was very glad to see me."

So she sat, and I looked sideways at her dropped eyes--her forehead
with its coronet of chestnut curls. How would he bear the sight--he of
whose heart mine was the mere faint echo? Yet truly an echo, repeating
with cruel faithfulness every throb.

He kept his position, a little aloof from the Brithwoods, who were
holding a slight altercation--though more of looks than words. John
heeded them not. I was sure, though he had never looked directly
towards us, that he had heard every syllable Miss March said to me.

The 'squire called across the room, in a patronising tone: "My good
fellow--that is, ahem! I say, young Halifax?"

"Were you addressing me, Mr. Brithwood?"

"I was. I want a quiet word or two--between ourselves."

"Certainly."

They stood face to face. The one seemed uncomfortable, the other was
his natural self--a little graver, perhaps, as if he felt what was
coming, and prepared to meet it, knowing in whose presence he had to
prove himself--what Richard Brithwood, with all his broad acres, could
never be--a gentleman.

Few could doubt that fact, who looked at the two young men, as all were
looking now.

"On my soul, it's awkward--I'll call at the tan-yard and explain."

"I had rather you would explain here."

"Well then, though it's a confounded unpleasant thing to say--and I
really wish I had not been brought into such a position--you'll not
heed my wife's nonsense?"

"I do not understand you."

"Come, it's no use running to cover in that way. Let's be open and
plain. I mean no offence. You may be a very respectable young man for
aught I know, still rank is rank.