She said this with a melancholy smile, more fascinating to him than the most radiant expression from another. She withdrew to the drawing-room, motioning to him not to follow.
In the drawing-room she found Miss Gryll, who appeared to be reading; at any rate, a book was open before her.
_Miss Gryll._ You did not see me just now, as I passed through the hall. You saw only two things: the shuttlecock, and your partner in the game.
_Miss Niphet._. It is not possible to play, and see anything but the shuttlecock.
_Miss Gryll._ And the hand that strikes it.
_Miss Niphet._. That comes unavoidably into sight.
_Miss Gryll._ My dear Alice, you are in love, and do not choose to confess it.
[Illustration: You are in love, and do not choose to confess it. 279-239]
_Miss Niphet._. I have no right to be in love with your suitor.
_Miss Gryll._ He was my suitor, and has not renounced his pursuit; but he is your lover. I ought to have seen long ago, that from the moment his eyes rested on you all else was nothing to him. With all that habit of the world which enables men to conceal their feelings in society, with all his exertion to diffuse his attentions as much as possible among all the young ladies in his company, it must have been manifest to a careful observer, that when it came, as it seemed in ordinary course, to be your turn to be attended to, the expression of his features was changed from complacency and courtesy to delight and admiration. I could not have failed to see it, if I had not been occupied with other thoughts. Tell me candidly, do you not think it is so?
_Miss Niphet._ Indeed, my dear Morgana, I did not designedly enter into rivalry with you; but I do think you conjecture rightly.
_Miss Gryll._ And if he were free to offer himself to you, and if he did so offer himself, you would accept him?
_Miss Gryll._ Then, when you next see him, he shall be free. I have set my happiness on another cast, and I will stand the hazard of the die.
_Miss Niphet._. You are very generous, Morgana: for I do not think you give up what you do not value.
_Miss Gryll._ No, indeed. I value him highly. So much so, that I have hesitated, and might have finally inclined to him, if I had not perceived his invincible preference of you. I am sorry, for your sake and his, that I did not clearly perceive it sooner; but you see what it is to be spoiled by admirers. I did not think it possible that any one could be preferred to me. I ought to have thought it possible, but I had no experience in that direction. So now you see a striking specimen of mortified vanity.