She blushed and fluttered now, looked half angry, half beseeching, and
altogether lovely.

"How much time shall I give? It cannot take long to read a heart like
yours, dear." And fancying her emotion a propitious omen, he assumed the
lover in good earnest.

"Give me time till the New Year. I will answer then, and, meantime,
leave me free to study both myself and you. We have known each other
long, I own, but, still, this changes everything, and makes you seem
another person. Be patient, Frank, and I will try to make my duty a
pleasure."

"I will. God bless you for the kind hope, Octavia. It has been mine for
years, and if I lose it, it will go hardly with me."

Later in the evening General Snowdon stood examining the antique screen.
In many places carved oak was pierced quite through, so that voices were
audible from behind it. The musicians had gone down to supper, the young
folk were quietly busy at the other end of the hall, and as the old
gentleman admired the quaint carving, the sound of his own name caught
his ear. The housekeeper and butler still remained, though the other
servants had gone, and sitting cosily behind the screen chatted in low
tones believing themselves secure.

"It _was_ Mrs. Snowdon, Adam, as I'm a living woman, though I wouldn't
say it to anyone but you. She and Sir Jasper were here wrapped in
cloaks, and up to mischief, I'll be bound. She is a beauty, but I don't
envy her, and there'll be trouble in the house if she stays long."