'I shall look such an ass,' he grumbled at last.
'You shall be quite moderate,' she pleaded speciously, but insincerely. She was relieved at the form of his objection; she had feared worse. His brow, too, cleared a little.
'Is there really any philosophy in it, Peggy?' he asked in a humorous puzzle.
'You liked it. You know you enjoyed it this morning.'
'That was for—well, I hope for somebody else.'
'Do try it—just this once,' she implored.
He abandoned himself to her persuasion; had not that been his bargain for the day? The hansom was called into service again. First to Panting's—where Airey's coat gave a shock such as the establishment had not experienced for many a day—then to other high-class shops. Into some of these Peggy did not accompany him. She would point to a note and say, 'Not more than half the change out of that,' or 'No change at all out of that.' When Airey came out she watched eagerly to see how profound would be the shopman's bow, how urgent his entreaty that he might be honoured by further favours. It is said that the rumour of a new millionaire ran through the London of trade that day.
'Are you liking it, Airey?' She was nearly at an end of her invention when she put the question.
He would give her no answer. 'Have you anywhere else you want to go?'
She thought hard. He turned to her smiling: