it drives me crazy, because they are places I don't go to very
often —"

"Suppose you keep your wits, and tell me your story."

"Well — don't interrupt me — he was there, and he had taken me
into the supper-room, when mamma came along, and took it into
her head to tell me not to take something — I forget what —
punch, I believe — because I had not been well in the morning.
Now, you know, it was absurd. I was perfectly well then, and I
told her I shouldn't mind her; but do you believe, Mr.
Carleton wouldn't give it to me? — absolutely told me he
wouldn't, and told me why, as coolly as possible, and gave me
a glass of water, and made me drink it; and if it had been
anybody else, I do assure you I would have flung it in his
face, and never spoken to him again; and I have been in love
with him ever since. Now, is that tea going to be ready?"

"Presently. How long have you been here?"

"Oh, a day or two — and it has poured with rain every single
day since we came, till this one; and just think," said
Constance with a ludicrously scared face — "I must make haste,
and be back again. You see, I came away on principle, that I
may strike with the effect of novelty when I appear again; but
if I stay _too_ long, you know — there is a point —"

"On the principle of the ice-boats," said Fleda, "that back a
little to give a better blow to the ice, where they find it
tough?"