"Grey, Zane - Betty Zane" - читать интересную книгу автора (Grey Zane)

"Nonsense, Lydia. I hope you do not think I am a silly little fool. It is only
that I have not been accustomed to that kind of treatment, and I will not have
it."

Lydia was rather pleased that some one had appeared on the scene who did not
at once bow down before Betty, and therefore she took the young man's side of
the argument.

"Do not be hard on poor Mr. Clarke. Maybe he mistook you for an Indian girl.
He is handsome. I am sure you saw that."

"Oh, I don't remember how he looked," said Betty. She did remember, but would
not admit it.

The conversation drifted into other channels after this, and soon twilight
came stealing down on them. As Betty rose to go there came a hurried tap on
the door.

"I wonder who would knock like that," said Lydia, rising "Betty, wait a moment
while I open the door."

On doing this she discovered Clarke standing on the step with his cap in his
hand.

"Why, Mr. Clarke! Will you come in?" exclaimed Lydia. "Thank you, only for a
moment," said Alfred. "I cannot stay. I came to find Betty. Is she here?"

He had not observed Betty, who had stepped back into the shadow of the
darkening room. At his question Lydia became so embarrassed she did not know
what to say or do, and stood looking helplessly at him.

But Betty was equal to the occasion. At the mention of her first name in such
a familiar manner by this stranger, who had already grievously offended her
once before that day, Betty stood perfectly still a moment, speechless with
surprise, then she stepped quickly out of the shadow.

Clarke turned as he heard her step and looked straight into a pair of dark,
scornful eyes and a face pale with anger.

"If it be necessary that you use my name, and I do not see how that can be
possible, will you please have courtesy enough to say Miss Zane?" she cried
haughtily.

Lydia recovered her composure sufficiently to falter out:

"Betty, allow me to introduce--"

"Do not trouble yourself, Lydia. I have met this person once before to-day,
and I do not care for an introduction."