“But you have said nothing to me at all!” Mrs. Baines remonstrated, lifting her eyebrows. The way in which the man had sprung this matter upon her was truly too audacious.
Mr. Povey approached her as she sat at the table, shaking her ringlets and looking at her hands.
“You know there’s something between us!” he insisted.
“How should I know there is something between you? Constance has never said a word to me. And have you?”
“Well,” said he. “We’ve hidden nothing.”
“What is there between you and Constance? If I may ask!”
“That depends on you,” said he again.
“Have you asked her to be your wife?”
“No. I haven’t exactly asked her to be my wife.” He hesitated. “You see—”
Mrs. Baines collected her forces. “Have you kissed her?” This in a cold voice.