Hero, who had not failed to notice Miss Milborne's roses, and George's haggard...

Hero, who had not failed to notice Miss Milborne's roses, and George's haggard appearance, took the earliest opportunity that offered of following him to his retreat. Her tender heart ached for the pain she knew him to be suffering. It was a pain she was not quite a stranger to, and her own susceptibility made it seem the more imperative to offer such comfort as she could to George.
She found him sitting moodily on a small sofa, a glass of brandy in his hand. He looked up, with a challenging expression in his eyes, but when he saw who had come in his brow cleared, and he rose, setting down his glass, and managing to conjure of the travesty of a smile.
Hero clasped his hand between both hers, saying: 'Dear George, do not heed it! Indeed, she could not have carried violets with that gown!'
'She is wearing Severn's roses,' he replied.
'Oh no! You cannot know that!'
'Mrs. Milborne told Lady Cowper so within my hearing.'
Hero looked dismayed, but rallied. 'It can only be because they were more suited to that gown. Sit down, George! I am persuaded you refine too much upon it.'
He allowed himself to be pulled down on to the sofa beside her, but gave a groan. 'I told her that if she wore my violets I shouldn't know what to think. I have had my answer, and may as well go and blow my brains out without more ado.'
'Oh, do not say so! You know, George, I think you should not have sent that message. Perhaps she may not have quite liked it. Have you spoken with her?'
He shook his head. 'I could not trust myself. Besides, if I came within reach of that curst fellow, Severn, I should very likely find a means of picking a quarrel with him.'
'No, no, don't do that! Should you like it if I were to try if I can discover Isabella's feelings upon this occasion?'
'Thank you! I have observed her to be in excellent spirits!' he said bitterly. 'That one so fair should be so heartless!'
'Indeed, I am sure she is no such thing! She has a little reserve, perhaps, and she does not confide in one, but I feel quite certain Severn has not engaged her affections.'
He was silent for a moment, pleating and repleating the handkerchief he held, his attention apparently absorbed in this foolish task. His lip quivered; he said in a hard voice: 'She will marry him for his possessions, and his rank. It is plain enough.'
'Oh, no! You are unjust, George!She has more heart than you believe.'
'Once I believed-' He stopped, and dropped his head in his hands, with a groan. 'It don't signify! I beg your pardon! I should not be boring on about my affairs. But you cannot know the anguish of having one's love scorned, indeed, I dare say hardly regarded!'
'Dear George, do not say so!' Hero besought him, putting up her hand to smooth his unruly locks. 'I know- oh, I know! But do not allow yourself to think there is no hope of her affections animating towards you! It cannot be but that if one truly loves-' Her voice became suspended; she was obliged to wipe a tear from her cheek.
He put his arm round her, in a brotherly way, and gave her a slight hug. 'Yes, yes, where there is a heart to be won, of course you are right, Kitten! But in "my" case-! There, do not let us dwell upon it any longer! I am the greatest brute alive: I have made you cry, and I would not do so for the world!'
She gave a shaky laugh. 'Only for your sake, dear George! Indeed, I am the happiest creature imaginable, in- in general!'
He turned her face up. 'Are you? I hope you may be, for you deserve to be.'
She smiled mistily, and because it seemed a natural thing to do under the circumstances, he bent his head, and kissed her.
There was nothing at all passionate in this embrace, and Hero had no hesitation in receiving it in the spirit in which it was clearly meant.