Zoe colored angrily. "I don't care who knows it," she retorted, with a
little toss of her head. "I did not think it _necessary_ to let Arthur
into the secret, as you call it (I don't consider it one), but neither
did I see any objection to his knowing about it."

"Then, let me request you to say no more on the subject to any one," he
said, with vexation.

"I sha'n't promise," she muttered, half under her breath. But he heard
it.

"Very well, then, I forbid it; and you have promised to obey me."

"And you promised that it should always be love and coaxing," she said,
in tones trembling with pain and passion. "I'll have to tell Ella
something about it."

"Then, say only what is quite necessary," he returned, his tones
softening.

Then, after a moment's silence, in which Zoe's face was turned from him
so that he could not see its expression, "Won't you go now, and ask if
Miss Deane is any easier? Surely, as her hostess, you should do so
much."

"No, I won't! I'll do all I can to make her comfortable; I'll provide
her with society more agreeable to her than mine; I'll see that she has
interesting reading-matter, if she wants it; I'll do any thing and every
thing I can, except that; but you needn't ask that of me."