They seemed capable
of killing anything from a liar up to a hickory-nut.
Severne looked at her and gave a shudder. "Then Heaven forbid you should
ever be my enemy!" said he, sadly, "for I am unhappy enough already."
Having delivered this disarming speech, he collapsed, and seemed to be
overpowered with despondency. Miss Gale showed no signs of melting. She
leaned back and eyed him with steady and composed curiosity, as a
zoologist studying a new specimen and all its little movements.
They drove up to the Hall door, and Miss Gale was conducted to the
drawing-room, where she found Lord Uxmoor and the two young ladies. Zoe
shook hands with her. Fanny put a limp paw into hers, which made itself
equally limp directly, so Fanny's dropped out. Lord Uxmoor was presented
to her, at his own request. Soon after this luncheon was announced.
Vizard joined them, welcomed Rhoda genially, and told the party he had
ordered the break, and Uxmoor would drive them to the farm round by
Hillstoke and the Common. "And so," said he, "by showing Miss Gale our
most picturesque spot at once, we may perhaps blind her to the horrors of
her situation--for a time.
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