former, and talks of them the most, but I doubt whether the latter are not the more numerous.
The next morning of course there was a hurry and fuss at breakfast in order that they might get off in time for the courts. The judges were to take their seats at ten, and therefore it was necessary that they should sit down to breakfast some time before nine. The achievement does not seem to be one of great difficulty, but nevertheless it left no time for lovemaking.
But for one instant Felix was able to catch Madeline alone in the breakfast-parlour. 'Miss Staveley,' said he, 'will it be possible that I should speak to you alone this evening;—for five minutes?'
'Speak to me alone?' she said, repeating his words; and as she did so she was conscious that her whole face had become suffused with colour.
'Is it too much to ask?'
'Oh, no!'
'Then if I leave the dining-room soon after you have done so———'
'Mamma will be there, you know,' she said. Then others came into the room and he was able to make no further stipulation for the evening.
Madeline, when she was left alone that morning, was by no means satisfied with her own behaviour, and accused herself of having been unnecessarily cold to him. She knew the permission which had been accorded to him, and she knew also—knew well—what answer would be given to his request. In her mind the matter was now fixed. She had confessed to herself that she loved him, and she could not now doubt of his love to her. Why then should she have answered him with coldness and doubt? She hated the missishness of young ladies, and had resolved that when he asked her a plain question she would give him a plain answer. It was true that the question had not been asked as yet; but why should she have left him in doubt as to her kindly feeling?
'It shall be but for this one day,' she said to herself as she sat alone in her room.
CHAPTER XXX.
HOW AM I TO BEAR IT?
When the first day's work was over in the court, Lady Mason and Mrs. Orme kept their seats till the greater part of the crowd had dispersed, and the two young men, Lucius Mason and Peregrine,
