"Thrown out, like him." "Hurt?" "No." "Do you know who it was?" "Yes." "Who was it?" "It was I." "_You?_" exclaimed Antoinette. "Were _you_ driving with Mr. Southwode? How came you to be going with him?" "Why should I not?" "Why--" with a glance at Rotha's dress. Rotha saw and understood, but would not enlighten her. "Did you ever go with him before?" "Yes." "How many times?" But Rotha was getting amused now, and was mistress of the situation. "Does it matter how many times?" she said quite unexcitedly. "He never took _me_ anywhere," said Antoinette. "I declare, I'll make him. It isn't using me well. What makes you call him Mr. Digby?" "I have been accustomed to call him so." "Did he tell you to?" "Yes." "I wonder if he'd let me? I don't believe mamma would, though. She won't let you either do it any more. Digby is Mr. Southwode's first name. She would say it was too familiar, to call him by his first name, even with a 'Mr.' to it. Mamma's a little poky at times. But how did you come to know him first? you haven't told me." "I suppose, the same way you came to know him," said Rotha slowly. But the suggestion of anything similar in what concerned the social circumstances of her and her cousin, struck Antoinette with such a sense of novelty that, for a moment she was nonplussed. Then her eye fell upon the clock on the mantel-piece, and she started up. "I must rush right off," she said; "it is time for my drawing lesson. That's one thing I don't get in school. Have you ever been to school?" "No." "I suppose you don't know much, then. Won't you have to work, though! I am sorry I must go and leave you alone; but mamma will be in by and by." While she was speaking, Antoinette had been putting on her wraps to go out; handsome, ample, and becoming they were. A dark green cloak of some figured, lustrous stuff; a little green hat with a coquettish leather; gloves fitting nicely; and finally a little embroidered pocket- handkerchief stuffed into an outer pocket of her cloak. Then taking her portfolio, Antoinette hurried away.