“But,” continued Mr Maguire, “she is as cold—as cold—as cold as ice.”

As the lady in question was another man’s wife, this did not seem to Miss Mackenzie to be of much consequence to Mr Maguire, but she allowed him to go on.

“Stumfold I don’t think minds it; he is of that joyous disposition that all things work to good for him. Even when she’s most obdurate in her sternness to him—”

“Law! Mr Maguire, I did not think she was ever stern to him.”

“But she is, very hard. Even then I don’t think he minds it much. But, Miss Mackenzie, that kind of companion would not do for me at all. I think a woman should be soft and soothing, like a dove.”

She did not stop to think whether doves are soothing, but she felt that the language was pretty.

Just at this moment she was summoned by Miss Baker, and looking up she perceived that Mr and Mrs Fuzzybell were already leaving the room.

“I don’t know why you need disturb Miss Mackenzie,” said Miss Todd, “she has only got to go next door, and she seems very happy just now.”

“I would sooner go with Miss Baker,” said Miss Mackenzie.

“Mr Maguire would see you home,” suggested Miss Todd.

But Miss Mackenzie of course went with Miss Baker, and Mr Rubb accompanied them.

“Good-night, Mr Rubb,” said Miss Todd; “and don’t make very bad reports of us in London.”

“Oh! no; indeed I won’t.”

“For though we do play cards, we still stick to decorum, as you must have observed to-night.”

At Miss Mackenzie’s door there was an almost overpowering amount of affectionate farewells. Mr Maguire was there as well as Mr Rubb, and both gentlemen warmly pressed the hand of the lady they were leaving. Mr Rubb was not quite satisfied with his evening’s work, because he had not been able to get near to Miss Mackenzie; but, nevertheless, he was greatly gratified by the general manner in which he had been received, and was much pleased with Littlebath and its inhabitants. Mr Maguire, as he walked home by himself, assured himself that he might as well now put the question; he had been thinking about it for the last two months, and had made up his mind that matrimony would be good for him.

Miss Mackenzie, as she went to bed, told herself that she might have a husband if she pleased; but then, which should it be? Mr Rubb’s manners were very much against him; but of Mr Maguire’s eye she had caught a gleam as he turned from her on the doorsteps, which made her think of that alliance with dismay.

Chapter XII.
Mrs Stumfold Interferes

On the morning following Miss Todd’s tea-party, Mr Rubb called on Miss Mackenzie and bade her adieu. He was, he said, going up to London at once, having received a letter which made his presence there imperative. Miss Mackenzie could, of course, do no more than simply say good-bye to him. But when she had said so he did not even then go at once. He was standing with his hat in hand, and had bade her farewell; but still he did not go. He had something to say, and she stood there trembling, half fearing what the nature of that something might be.