Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/251

 better do nothing of the sort! If Mr. Thurber does not wish to meet us, we had better not force him to do so."

There was an awkward silence for a moment, broken by Tom, who remarked something about my being "excited."

Judith put her hand on my arm and drew me away, and I felt that I was being soothed, and that every one wished me to return to a better temper. I wished the same. It was extremely disagreeable to feel so hot and excited.

We went through the Treasury, but I have no idea what we saw. George did not speak to me again, and I was glad he did not. In fact, every one let me alone. I imagine they were sorry for me, because they thought I was so disappointed at Mr. Thurber's non-appearance. This was humiliating, but I knew not how to undeceive them. It is not so unpleasant to have people suppose that Chilton Thurber, and even George, are desperately in love with me; but it is a different matter when they begin to think that I am pining for a person who neglects me. I suspect that my heart was made on a small scale. I am troubled about it. Either I am becoming fickle, or I never knew myself before. Certainly I never thought so much about myself.

Evening.

As we were sitting at lunch, our English friend arrived. I was absurdly conscious when I shook hands with him,—aware of a blush on my face, and of the