The guests were still at lunch when they entered the dining-room,
and Isabel was seated close to Mrs Jones. Silverbridge at once
went up to her,--and place was made for him as though he had almost
a right to be next to her. Miss Boncassen herself bore the honours
well, seeming to regard the little change at table as though it
was of no moment. 'I became so eager about that game,' she said,
'that I went on too long.'
'I hope you are now none the worse.'
'At six o'clock this morning I thought I should never use my legs
again.'
'Were you awake at six?' said Silverbridge, with pitying voice.
'That was it. I could not sleep. Now I begin to hope that sooner
or later I shall unstiffen.'
During every moment, at every word that he uttered, he was
thinking of the declaration of love which he had made to her. But
it seemed to him as though the matter had not dwelt on her mind.
When they drew their chairs away from the table he thought that
not a moment was to be lost before some further explanation of
their feelings for each other should be made.
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