"What is her last misdemeanour?"
"Well, I＇ve told you before, and I suppose there＇s no harm in my going on. I always 昀nish a subject that I take up. Mr. Goodwood was here last night."
Ralph opened his eyes; he even blushed a little—his blush being the sign of an emotion somewhat acute.He remembered that Isabel, in separating from him in Winchester Square, had repudiated his suggestion that her motive in doing so was the expectation of a visitor at Pratt＇s Hotel, and it was a new pang to him to have to suspect her of duplicity. On the other hand, he quickly said to himself, what concern was it of his that she should have made an appointment with a lover? Had it not been thought graceful in every age that young ladies should make a mystery of such appointments? Ralph gave Miss Stackpole a diplomatic answer. "I should have thought that, with the views you expressed to me the other day, this would satisfy you perfectly."