better do nothing of the sort! If Mr. Thurber does not wish to meet us, we had better not force him to do so."
There was an awkward silence for a moment, broken by Tom, who remarked something about my being "excited."
Judith put her hand on my arm and drew me away, and I felt that I was being soothed, and that every one wished me to return to a better temper. I wished the same. It was extremely disagreeable to feel so hot and excited.
We went through the Treasury, but I have no idea what we saw. George did not speak to me again, and I was glad he did not. In fact, every one let me alone. I imagine they were sorry for me, because they thought I was so disappointed at Mr. Thurber's non-appearance. This was humiliating, but I knew not how to undeceive them. It is not so unpleasant to have people suppose that Chilton Thurber, and even George, are desperately in love with me; but it is a different matter when they begin to think that I am pining for a person who neglects me. I suspect that my heart was made on a small scale. I am troubled about it. Either I am becoming fickle, or I never knew myself before. Certainly I never thought so much about myself.
As we were sitting at lunch, our English friend arrived. I was absurdly conscious when I shook hands with him,—aware of a blush on my face, and of the
