“I cannot interfere with dear Reggie’s rights. The box is as much his, as mine. Father bought it in perpetuity, when the theater was built. The Merrys, and Taits, and others did the same—and Father left it to Reggie and myself, equally.”
“It would be very unpleasant to you, if Reginald married a woman you did not like—and you really approve of so few women—it is remarkable how few——”
“Yet I have found a woman since you went away, that is perfect—as good and clever as she is beautiful.”
“Where did you find her?”
“It is my little romance. I will tell you about her after dinner.”
“I am not impatient.”
This kind of half-querulous conversation continued during the service of dinner, but when the cloth had been drawn, and the wine and the nuts promised the absence of servants uncalled for, Roberta’s attitude changed. She took a letter from her bag, and pushed it towards Neil.
“It is your letter,” she said, “it came ten days ago.”
“Why did you open it?”
“The word ‘haste’ was on it, and I thought it might be an announcement of your mother’s death, or serious sickness—not that I thought you would care——”