She allowed him to pass through the gate, which he shut slowly, perhaps
to give her an opportunity of speaking, if she wished to do so; then
thinking that he did not see her she spoke in her soft, musical voice.
"Did you have good sport, Mr. Bingham?"
"No," he answered shortly; "I saw very little, and I missed all I saw."
"I am so sorry, except for the birds. I hate the birds to be killed. Did
you not see me in this white dress? I saw you fifty yards away."
"Yes, Miss Granger," he answered, "I saw you."
"And you were going by without speaking to me; it was very rude of
you--what is the matter?"
"Not so rude as it was of you to arrange to walk out with me and then to
go and see Mr. Davies instead."
"I could not help it, Mr. Bingham; it was an old engagement, which I had
forgotten."
"Quite so, ladies generally have an excuse for doing what they want to
do."
"It is not an excuse, Mr. Bingham," Beatrice answered, with dignity;
"there is no need for me to make excuses to you about my movements."
"Of course not, Miss Granger; but it would be more polite to tell me
when you change your mind--next time, you know.
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