‘What do you mean?’ said he, bending on her a cold, stony glance.
‘I spoke without thinking,’ she replied, with a careless shrug; ‘I mean nothing—what could I?’
‘A careless and dangerous habit, and one to be guarded against.’
‘Psa! it is excusable in a woman.’
‘In some—in most perhaps; but there are many—and I include yourself amongst them, beautiful Plautia—whose brains move busily before their tongues wag.’
‘Ah me!’ sighed the lady impatiently, ‘why did I allow the one for once to get before the other? And though you should turn inquisitor, and bring hither your judicial chair, you will make no more of the matter.’
She stamped her foot with a charming affectation of wrath, and he smiled grimly.
‘I shall not make the attempt,’ he answered; ‘I am content to think that Plautia is wise and prudent. Come! what lies beneath all this?’
‘Why, see how you are at fault—something I do mean truly!’ she cried, clapping her hands with glee.
‘Do you suppose I ever thought otherwise?’ he rejoined, rather puzzled.