192 The Real Charlotte. 



Francie took her hand sharply away. 



" I think you are being very unkind now," he continued ; 

 *' aren't you even going to look at me ? " 



" Oh yes, I'll look at you if you like," she said, turning 

 upon him in a kind of desperation ; " it doesn't do me 

 much harm, and I don't suppose it does you much good." 



The cool, indifferent manner that she had intended to 

 assume was already too difficult for her, and she sought a 

 momentary refuge in rudeness. He showed all the white 

 teeth, that were his best point, in a smile that was patronis- 

 ingly free from resentment. 



" Why, what's the matter with her ? " he said caressingly. 

 " I believe I know what it's all about. She's been catching 

 it about that day in the launch 1 Isn't that it ? " 



" I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Hawkins," 

 said Francie, with an indifferent attempt at hauteur ; "but 

 since you're so clever at guessing things I suppose there's 

 no need of me telling you." 



Hawkins came closer to her, and forcibly took possession 

 of her hands. " What's the matter with you ? " he said in a 

 low voice ; " why are you angry with me ? Don't you know 

 I love you ? " The unexpected element of uncertainty 

 sharpened the edge of his feelings and gave his voice an 

 earnestness that was foreign to it. 



Francie started visibly ; '' No, I know you don't," she said, 

 facing him suddenly, like some trapped creature ; " I know 

 you're in love with somebody else ! " 



His eyes flinched as though a light had been flashed in 

 them. *^ What do you mean ? " he said quickly, while a 

 rush of blood darkened his face to the roots of his yellow 

 hair, and made the veins stand out on his forehead ; " who 

 told you that ? " 



" It doesn't matter who told me," she said with a miser- 

 able satisfaction that her bolt had sped home ; " but I know- 

 it's true." 



" I give you my honour it's not ! " he said passionately ; 

 " you might have known better than to believe it." 



" Oh yes, I might," she said with all the scorn she was 

 master of; "but I think 'twas as good for me I didn't.'* 

 Her voice collapsed at the end of the sentence, and the dry 

 sob that rose in her throat almost choked her. She stood 



