Page:The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (emended first edition), Volume 2.djvu/292

282 can't pretend you are reluctant to lay down your work—I know you never take it up except to pass an idle hour, when there is nothing better you can do."

"But chess players are so unsociable," I objected; "they are no company for any but themselves."

"There is no one here—but Milicent, and she—"

"Oh, I shall be delighted to watch you!" cried our mutual friend—"Two such players—it will be quite a treat! I wonder which will conquer."

I consented.

"Now Mrs. Huntingdon," said Hargrave, as he arranged the men on the board, speaking distinctly, and with a peculiar emphasis as if he had a double meaning to all his words, "you are a good player,—but I am a better: we shall have a long game, and you will give me some trouble; but I can be as patient as you, and, in the end, I shall certainly win." He fixed