It was then the grave look already alluded to showed itself in her eyes. "Perhaps you can tell, sister?" she added, interrogatively. "Sabrina! why do you say that? How should I be acquainted with Mr Trevor's movements or intentions--any more than yourself?" "Ha--ha! What an artful little minx you are, Vag! A very mistress of deception!" "You'll make me angry, Sab--I'm half that already." "Without cause, then, or reason." "Every reason." "Name one." "That you should suspect me of having a secret and keeping it from you." "Goodness gracious! How just you are in your reproaches--you, who but this very moment have been accusing me of that selfsame thing! I, all candour, all frankness!" Vaga was now flung back, as a sailor would say, on her "beam ends." For, in truth, she had made herself amenable to the charge. "Oh! you innocent!" cried Sabrina, pressing her triumph. "Though you are three years younger than I, you're quite as old about some things, and this is _one_ of them." "This what?" "This that; the thing, or man, if he may be so called, we see riding down yonder road." "You wrong me, sister; I've no secret concerning him. I never cared for Rej Trevor in the way you appear to be hinting at--not three straws." "Are you serious in what you say, Vag? Tell me the truth!" There was an earnestness in the way the question was put--tone, air, everything--that bespoke more than a common interest about the answer. It came, causing disappointment, with some slight vexation. For Vaga, thinking she had been badgered long enough, and, remembering, moreover, how very reticent the other had just shown herself, determined on having a _revanche_. It was altogether in consonance with her nature; though she had no idea of advantage beyond that of mere fun. "Curiosity on the rack!" she triumphantly retorted. "What you've just been dooming me to! How does it feel, sister Sab!" "Sister Sab" made no response; in turn being fairly conquered and cornered. But her silence and submissive look were more eloquent than any appeal she could have made. And, responding to them, her conqueror relentingly asked: "Are you very, _very_ desirous of knowing how the case stands between myself and Master Reginald Trevor?" "I am, indeed. And when you've told me, I'll give you the reason." "On that condition I'll tell you. He is nothing to me more than any other man. And when I add that no other man is anything either, you'll understand me." "But, sister dear, do you mean to say you _love_ no one?" "I mean to say that--flat." "And never have?" "That's a queer question to be asked; above all by you, you who so often preach the virtue of constancy, crying it into my ears! If I ever had loved man, I think I should love him still. But as it chances, I don't quite comprehend what the sensation is; never having experienced it. And more, I don't wish to; that is, if it were to affect me as it seems to do you."