“Have you dined?” said Mrs. Norton, to make a way of escape for herself; for, of course, what he wanted was to get rid of her, she felt sure. What so natural? “You know we dine early; but I was just going to order tea. As you are going to have an English wife,” she added, with a laugh which jarred dreadfully with the portentous gravity of his aspect, “you must learn to like such an English meal as tea;” and pleased with this little speech, which she felt to be both graceful and appropriate, the good little woman hurried towards the door. “Nay,” cried Pandolfini, hurriedly stopping her. “I have only come in a great hurry to--to thank you for a confidence so generous. I have not sufficient of time to stay. It is to my regret, my great regret. But I could not let the evening pass without saying how I thank you. What I feel--what--gratitude--what devotion! The evening must not pass without this.” “But cannot you stay with us?” said Mrs. Norton. “And oh! can’t you come this evening as usual?--it is one of Diana’s nights,” cried Sophy, with countenance aghast. “Alas!” he cried, with a face in which there was misery enough for that or a much greater misfortune. “What can I do? I am rent asunder. I have my heart in two places. But I cannot come. I have--business. Indeed it is not possible. I must hasten away.” “Oh,” cried Sophy, “I call that hard--very hard: not to be together the first night. You have never had business before----” “No; I have never had business before. It is more needful now that I put my affairs in order,” he said, and looked at her with an attempt at a smile. “Of course we understood that,” said Mrs. Norton. “Of course, my darling! it is quite reasonable. Dear Mr. Pandolfini must have many things to do: but you must allow it is natural that Sophy should be disappointed--the first night, as she says,” added the aunt, with a look at Pandolfini. Once more he took Sophy’s hand and put it to his lips. “She is an angel of goodness,” he said with fervour, kissing her hand again; but then he kissed Mrs. Norton’s hand (which seemed to Sophy unnecessary), and after a very few words more, hastened away,--leaving them, it is needless to say, somewhat dismayed, they could scarcely tell how--and yet overawed and dazzled. They stood and looked at each other for a moment or two in silence. There was a half-pout on Sophy’s lips, and a look about her eyes, as if for small provocation she might cry; but she ventured on no other demonstration. And then Mrs. Norton took the matter up, and put down all objections with a high hand.