She laughed again. “I cannot be angry with you, my lord. Indeed, there is no reason for my being so, seeing that you are so candid—and at the same time so very affectionate.”
“Hang it all!—don’t chaff a fellow. Nobody likes to be made a fool of, you know.”
“Certainly not, my lord; and I am not likely to attempt such a thing. And, indeed, I feel perfectly well convinced that I should not succeed if I made the attempt. I both esteem and admire you.”
“You admire me—eh?”
“Yes, I see many things to admire in you.”
“What are they?”
“Well, in the first place you’re remarkably good-natured, and you have, I believe, a good temper; in addition to which I believe you are sincere—at least I hope so.”
“Say you are sure of it,” he cried quickly.
“As far as I am able to judge at present, I feel assured of it. Will that satisfy you?”
He raised her hand to his lips and kissed it.