Page:The Semi-attached Couple.djvu/191

 She directed his eyes to the group in the distance, and added, "She is very much in your sister's way."

Lord Beaufort wanted no further explanation. He was as anxious as Miss Forrester could be that Lord and Lady Teviot should come to some explanation before they parted, for their estrangement was palpable to all eyes; so he immediately went to Lady Portmore and, offering her his arm, said, "Come, I am going to carry you off forcibly; you must not leave St. Mary's without seeing this picture, which I think has a great look of you." She could not resist this piece of flattery, and went with him. Lord Teviot rose to follow them, but Helen laid her hand on his arm, and said, "No, you cannot refuse me a few minutes on this our last evening."

"I am at your orders," he said coldly.

"Teviot, we surely are not to part on these terms. Do not go without a kind word or look—I cannot bear it."

"I beg your pardon, I do not think I quite understand your grievance. There was no necessity for our parting at all; but you decided that we should, and I can imagine no two people less called upon to affect any grief on that score. Can I do anything for you in London?"

She turned very pale, and said, "Let me go with you that far, even if you will not let me go to Lisbon."

"Thank you, no; I shall be very much hurried, and you, you know, are going home."

"I was wrong when I said that—I knew it at the time; but I was hurt by what you and Lady Portmore said, and I spoke in anger. Teviot, my home is with you."

"I fear it has not been a happy one, but all that is over now; discussions can do no good. I have no doubt you will be very happy when you are with those you love, and as for me, allow me to take care of myself Any life that I make out for myself will be better than that I have led lately. Have you anything more to say?"