“I think——Let me think again.”
“You mean, let me dream again. You seem to be half asleep this afternoon. Well?”
“On reflection, I consider that she is a devastating social influence.”
“That can be read in two ways, you wary fox. What is your opinion of the emancipation of women—wives especially?”
“Upon my word! Lady Rachel, I must protest!” he answered, with a somewhat fixed smile. “You are endeavouring to obtain my opinion gratis. I cannot afford it. How am I to live?”
Meanwhile Madeline, looking rather pale, listened furtively to this passage of arms.
“I think you are too horrid. At any-rate, it cannot hurt your pocket to tell me if you approve of the higher education of my sex.”
“No; I prefer the ancient Greek mode—complete isolation, wool-spinning, and no books.”
“Gracious! I shall pity your wife.”
His eyes and Madeline’s met for one half-second all the way across Lady Rachel’s bonnet and Captain Vansittart’s broad shoulders. Then he stood up.