"Wasn't it through you that I began to do it?"
The Major declined to argue the question—one of some complexity perhaps.
"Well, I've got plenty to do in London. Let's give up Merrion and take rooms here."
"Give up Merrion!" She was startled. But the reasons she assigned were prudential. "I've taken it till October, and I can't afford to. Besides, what's the use of being here in August?"
"You won't drop it yet, you see." The reasons did not deceive Duplay.
"I don't think I ought to desert Cecily. I suppose she'll go back to Blent. Oh, what an exasperating man he is!"
"Doesn't look as if the match would come off now, does it?"
"It's just desperate. The last chance is gone. I don't know what to do."
"Marry him yourself," advised the Major. Though it was an old idea of his, he was not very serious.