and civilly, following Mabel into the parlor, whither the other
visitors were fabled to have repaired. As he had guessed, his
betrothed was the only person there; the quartette having dispersed
with kindly tact, for which he gave them due credit.

"Don't think hardly of me, dear," he began, seating himself beside
her on the sofa.

"Allow me to offer you a few of the finest cigars I have enjoyed for
many years," said Mr. Aylett, entering in season to check Frederic's
movement to encircle Mabel's drooping form with his arm. "You smoke,
I believe? You may have an opportunity of indulging in this solace
in an empty stage. At least, there is little probability that you
will be denied the luxury by the presence of lady passengers. I
procured those in Havana, last winter. In case you should like them
well enough to order some for yourself, I will give you the address
of the merchant from whom I purchased them."

He wrote a line upon a card, as he might sign a beggar's
petition--with a supercilious parade of benevolence--and passed it
to the other, who accepted it with a phrase of acknowledgment
neither hearty nor grateful. Then the master of the house paced the
floor with a slow, regular step, his hands behind him; his
countenance placidly ruminative, his thoughts apparently engaged
with anything rather than the pain upon the corner-sofa, whose
leave-taking he had mercilessly marred. Frederic dumb and furious;
Mabel equally dumb and amazed to alarm, knowing as she did that her
brother's actions were never purposeless, sat still, their hands
clasped stealthily amid the folds of Mabel's dress; their eyes
saying the dear and passionate things forbidden to their tongues.