'Where shall we drive?'
'I've always wondered what happened at the very end of the Cromwell Road. Let's drive there, and then you can leave me at home. That will be quite a long way. It's rather a mad idea, Cecil, but it's fun. Isn't it just like Ted to ask you to take me home? You see what a darling, clever creature he is. He guessed—he knew we should be a little excited at meeting again. He wanted to get it over by leaving us quite free to talk.'
'I must say I shouldn't have done that in his place,' said Cecil.
'Oh, you! You might have had some cause of jealousy. He never could. But don't think I shall allow any more freaks like this. In a way I'm rather pleased you haven't forgotten me, Cecil.'
'Who could ever forget you? Who could ever get tired of you?'
'You could; and you would have by now, if I had been foolish enough to marry you.'
She seemed to Cecil, as ever, a delightful medley of impulses, whims, and fancies. For him there was always some magic about her; in her pale radiance he still found the old dazzling, unaccountable charm….
'Hyacinth, do let us score off Lady Cannon, and get the housemaid without her help.'
'Why, I have, Anne, I advertised all by myself. Several came to see me yesterday.'
'Well, what did you do about it?'