“What I want to say is this, then,” said he, approaching where she stood, and leaning one arm on the chimney close to where her own arm was resting; “I wanted to tell--no, I wanted to ask you if the old relations between us are to be considered as bygone,--if I am to go away from this to-day believing that all I have ever said to you, all that you heard--for you _did_ hear me, Julia--” “Julia!” repeated she, in mock amazement. “What liberty is this, sir?” and she almost laughed out as she spoke. “I knew well how it would be,” said he, angrily. “There is a heartless levity in your nature that nothing represses. I asked you to be serious for one brief instant.” “And you shall find that I can,” said she, quickly. “If I have not been more so hitherto, it has been in mercy to yourself.” “In mercy to me? To me! What do you mean?” “Simply this. You came here to give me a lesson this morning. But it was at your sister's suggestion. It was her criticism that prompted you to the task. I read it all. I saw how ill prepared you were. You have mistaken some things, forgotten others; and, in fact, you showed me that you were far more anxious I should exculpate myself than that you yourself should be the victor. It was for this reason that I was really annoyed,--seriously annoyed, at what you said to me; and I called in what you are so polite as to style my 'levity' to help me through my difficulty. Now, however, you have made me serious enough; and it is in this mood I say, Don't charge yourself another time with such a mission. Reprove whatever you like, but let it come from yourself. Don't think light-heartedness--I 'll not say levity--bad in morals, because it may be bad in taste. There's a lesson for you, sir.” And she held out her hand as if in reconciliation. “But you have n't answered my question, Julia,” said he, tremulously. “And what was your question?” “I asked you if the past--if all that had taken place between us--was to be now forgotten?” “I declare here is George,” said she, bounding towards the window and opening it. “What a splendid fish, George! Did you take it yourself?” “Yes, and he cost me the top joint of my rod; and I'd have lost him after all if Lafferty had not waded out and landed him. I 'm between two minds, Julia, whether I 'll send him up to the Bramleighs.” She put her finger to her lip to impose caution, and said, “The admiral,”--the nickname by which Jack was known--“is here.” “All right,” replied L'Estrange. “We'll try and keep him for dinner, and eat the fish at home.” He entered as he spoke. “Where 's Jack. Did n't you say he was here?” “So he was when I spoke. He must have slipped away without my seeing it. He is really gone.” “I hear he is gazetted; appointed to some ship on a foreign station. Did he tell you of it?” “Not a word. Indeed, he had little time, for we did nothing but squabble since he came in.”