It was long since Walter had heard her name, and the sound jarred upon his ear; it brought the real too harshly amid the delusions with which he delighted to surround her image.
"Well," continued Lavinia, "life is just like a comedy, only it does not end so pleasantly; but it has just as many cross purposes. Here I am in love with you, who care only for Miss Churchill; she, again, loves Mr. Courtenaye, and he loves only himself, as far as I can make out."
"Do choose some pleasanter subject," exclaimed Maynard.
"Oh, then I must talk of myself: I cannot think of a pleasanter one," said she. "Do you know that I have made a brilliant conquest?—one that half the fine ladies in London are dying for."
"I congratulate you," replied her companion.
At that moment a slow, heavy step was heard on the stairs. Walter caught the sound before his companion heard it.
