"
She was perfectly passive; and Maude moved away half ashamed of herself,
and feeling, in spite of her jealousy and her prejudice, that if ever
there was a ladylike girl upon earth, it was Anne Ashton.
"How do you like her, Anne?" asked Val Elster, dropping into the vacant
place.
"Not much."
"Don't you? She is very handsome."
"Very handsome indeed. Quite beautiful. But still I don't like her."
"You would like her if you knew her. She has a rare spirit, only the old
dowager keeps it down."
"I don't think she much likes you, Val."
"She is welcome to dislike me," returned Val Elster.
CHAPTER VI.
AT THE BRIDGE.
The famous boat-race was postponed. Some of the competitors had
discovered they should be the better for a few days' training, and the
contest was fixed for the following Monday.
Not a day of the intervening week but sundry small cockle-shells--things
the ladies had already begun to designate as the "wager-boats," each
containing a gentleman occupant, exercising his arms on a pair of
sculls--might be seen any hour passing and repassing on the water; and
the green slopes of Hartledon, which here formed the bank of the river,
grew to be tenanted with fair occupants. Of course they had their
favourites, these ladies, and their little bets of gloves on them.
As the day for the contest drew near the interest became really exciting;
and on the Saturday morning there was quite a crowd on the banks.
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