"Not so very, I'm afraid," she answered with a rueful shake of the head;
"for just hark how it is storming still!"

"Yes; but it may be all over by morning. How weary you look, love! Get
to bed as fast as you can. You should not have waited for the conclusion
of that long game, that, I know, did not interest you."

"I was interested for your sake," she said, "and so glad to see you
win."

"Wife-like," he returned with a smile, adding, "It was a very close
game, and you needn't be surprised to see me beaten in the next battle."

"I'm afraid she will stay for that, even if the storm is over," sighed
Zoe. "Dear me! I don't see how anybody can have the face to stay where
she is self-invited, and must know she isn't a welcome guest to the lady
of the house. I'd go through any storm rather than prolong a visit under
such circumstances."

"You would never have put yourself in such a position," Edward said.
"But I wish you could manage to treat her with a little more cordiality.
I should feel more comfortable. I could not avoid bringing her here, as
you know; nor can I send her away in such inclement weather, or, indeed,
at all, till she offers to go; and your want of courtesy toward her--to
put it mildly--is a constant mortification to me."

"Why don't you say at once that you are ashamed of me?" she exclaimed,
tears starting to her eyes again, as with a determined effort she freed
herself from his grasp, and moved away to the farther side of the room.