“Have you?” rejoins Belle, very cool and distant.
“Have you been long on the ice?” he inquired, hypocritically.
“I came on two hours ago with Mr. Ringdove and the girls,” returned she, with a twinkle which said, “Take that, Sir, for pretending you did not see me.”
“You’ve seen Mr. Wade skate, then,” Bill said, ignoring Ringdove.
“Yes; isn’t it splendid?” Belle replied, kindling.
“Tip-top!”
“But then he does everything better than anybody.”
“So he does!” Bill said, — true to his friend, and yet beginning to be jealous of this enthusiasm. It was not the first time he had been jealous of Wade; but he had quelled his fears, like a good fellow.
Belle perceived Bill’s jealousy, and could have cried for joy. She had known as little of her once lover’s heart as he of hers. She only knew that he stopped coming to see her when he fell, and had not renewed his visits now that he was risen again. If she had not been charmingly ruddy with the brisk air and exercise, she would have betrayed her pleasure at Bill’s jealousy with a fine blush.
The sense of recovered power made her wish to use it again. She must tease him a little. So she continued, as they skated on in good rhythm, —
“Mother and I wouldn’
