"Then why do you ask me if I am devoted to Lady Mabel? Would not that be tomfoolery too?"
"No. If I thought so, I would not have asked the question. I did specially invite her to come here because I thought you would like it. You have got to marry somebody."
"Some day, perhaps."
"And why not her?"
"If you come to that, why not you?" He felt himself to be getting into deep waters as he said this,—but he had a meaning to express if only he could find the words to express it. "I don't say whether it is tomfoolery, as you call it, or not; but whatever it is, you began it."
"Yes;—yes. I see. You punish me for my unpremeditated impertinence in suggesting that you are devoted to Lady Mabel by the premeditated impertinence of pretending to be devoted to me."
"Stop a moment. I cannot follow that." Then she laughed. "I will swear that I did not intend to be impertinent."
"I hope not."
"I am devoted to you."
"Lord Silverbridge!"