She did wish to go--ardently. But the more desirous she was to avoid a _tête-à-tête_, the more she knew in her kind heart that she must not show her anxiety. So she sat down at the corner of the table opposite to him, and began hurriedly to show how perfectly at ease she was by telling him of mama's headache; and how she believed it was due to the fact that poor mama was worried about business; which, since the horrid Coman had opened opposite for the express purpose, it seemed, of underselling Mrs. Day, had been so unsatisfactory. The Manchester man had nothing encouraging to say on that theme. Indeed, his utterances on any subject they had all found to be irritatingly constrained and limited of late. He made use to-night of an oft-repeated phrase of his when talk had been made of Mrs. Day's difficulties. "I know nothing of the grocery line. It's altogether distinct from the drapery, of course." "I wish you'd gone in for grocery, Mr. Gibbon. Then you could have helped us." "You've heard, I suppose, I've fixed it up with the Governor, the way I spoke to you about? You've heard I'm to be taken into partnership at Michaelmas?" "I am very glad." "I wonder if you are?" "Why not? Of course." "You remember what you said about the fine house I was to live in?" "When are you going to take it, Mr. Gibbon?" "When will you come to live in it, Miss Deleah?" She was sitting in a low chair and leaning negligently upon the table, her cheek in her hand, her fingers lost in the masses of her black waving hair, her eyes turned with polite interest upon his face. She dropped them now, and looked at the tablecloth without speaking. "When?" he repeated, and was breathless again in the horrible way she remembered. "I told you: I am not going to live in it at all, Mr. Gibbon." He leaned towards her, throwing himself forward on his arms that were folded upon the table; she felt his eyes glowering upon her down-bent face: "Oh, yes, Miss Deleah!" he implored. "I told you before," she said; and then distressedly like a child wearied by importunities, "Oh I wish you--I wish every one would leave me alone!" It was all very well to be pretty and admired, but not much gratification, thanks to Bessie's jealousy, and untoward circumstances, had Deleah experienced so far from looks or lovers.