It was the first time he had addressed her in that way.
"How often am I to be asked to be somebody's friend, I wonder!" said Janetta to herself, with a touch of humor. But she answered, quite gravely, "I should like to do what I can—but I'm afraid there is nothing that I can do, especially"—with a sudden flush—"if your friends—the people who come to your house—are men like Mr. Strangways."
Wyvis looked at her sideways, with a curious look upon his face.
"You object to Mr. Strangways?"
"He is a man whom most people object to."
"Well—if I give up Mr. Strangways and his kind——"
"Oh, will you, Cousin Wyvis?"
She turned an eager, sparkling face upon him. It occurred to him, almost for the first time, to admire her. With that light in her eye, that color in her cheek, Janetta was almost beautiful. He smiled.
"I shall be only too glad of an excuse," he said, with more simplicity and earnestness than she had as yet distinguished in his voice. "And then—you will come again?"
"I will—gladly."