CHAPTER XVI. THE SUBSTITUTION

id.Ialwayslackedcommonsensewhentakenbysurprise. “Butyoudon’tlikeit,Isuppose?—anumbrellawilldoyounoharmatanyrate,”hereplied,withasmilethatshowedhewasnotoffendedasamanofworsetemperorlesspenetrationwouldhavebeenatsucharefusalofhisaid.Icouldnotdenythetruthofhisassertion,andsowentwithhimtothecarriageheevenofferedmehishandongettingin:anunnecessarypieceofcivility,butIacceptedthattoo,forfearofgivingoffence.Oneglancehegave,onelittlesmileatparting—itwasbutforamomentbutthereinIread,orthoughtIread,ameaningthatkindledinmyheartabrighterflameofhopethanhadeveryetarisen. “Iwouldhavesentthefootmanbackforyou,MissGrey,ifyou’dwaitedamoment—youneedn’thavetakenMr.Weston’sumbrella,”observedRosalie,withaveryunamiableclouduponherprettyface. “Iwouldhavecomewithoutanumbrella,butMr.Westonofferedmethebenefitofhis,andIcouldnothaverefuseditmorethanIdidwithoutoffendinghim,”repliedI,smilingplacidlyformyinwardhappinessmadethatamusing,whichwouldhavewoundedmeatanothertime. Thecarriagewasnowinmotion.MissMurraybentforwards,andlookedoutofthewindowaswewerepassingMr.Weston.Hewaspacinghomewardsalongthecauseway,anddidnotturnhishead. “Stupidass!”criedshe,throwingherselfbackagainintheseat.“Youdon’tk