"Are you shocked at my behaviour, Mr. Murray?" said Lilias. "Should I not have done it? Perhaps I should not; but they were so unhappy. And I thought you would never mind. I do not think I would have done it if it had not been you." "That is the best of all," said Lewis. "What is the best of all? It was taking a liberty--I am very conscious of that; but Jean says you are full of understanding. And you saw, didn't you, as well as me? Why should people come between other people, Mr. Murray? If I were Philip's mother--you need not laugh--" "What should you do if you were Philip's mother?" he said. "I would never, never stand between them. How can she tell she might not be spoiling his life? You read that in books often. Philip is not the grand kind of man who would die for love----" "Do you think that would be a grand kind of man?" "Oh, don't you? I would like to live among that kind of people. It would be far finer, far simpler, than the common kind that die just of illnesses and accidents like beasts. I would like to die by my heart." "I don't think Mr. Stormont will die." "No, he is not good enough," said Lilias, "he is afraid of his mother. I am a little afraid of Margaret, too; but I would not do an ill thing, I think, even if she wanted me. To be sure, she never would want me. Do you know, I have had my way to-night; I have just refused the people I did not like. Katie dared me to do it, and Jean said I must not do it; but I did it--I was determined I would: and Margaret knew nothing about it, so she could not forbid me," said Lilias, with a laugh. "That was very prudent, when there is only one you are afraid of, not to let her know." "I did not keep it from her on purpose," said Lilias, half-offended. "Mr. Murray, do you see that they have gone away downstairs? I am afraid they may be silly now they are together. Don't you think we should go too?" "I will do whatever Miss Lilias pleases," said Lewis, "and go where you like best. After this you will give me one other little dance--just one; that was like heaven." "Heaven!" cried Lilias, scandalized. It seemed profanity to her innocent ears. "That will be the way," she said, somewhat severely, "that people permit themselves to speak abroad? I have always heard----But I am sure you did not mean it. It was very nice. I suppose, Mr. Murray, you dance very well?" "I am not the judge," said Lewis laughing, but confused in spite of himself. "Neither am I," said Lilias, calmly, "for I have never danced much with gentlemen. But you do not bump like most; you go so smoothly, it was a pleasure. But I wonder where Katie is? Doesn't it seem to you a long time?" "It is only a moment since we have been together," Lewis said. "Do you think so? Oh! I am afraid a great many moments--even minutes. Look! Mrs. Stormont is beginning to be uneasy--she is looking for Philip. Oh! come before she sees----"