“You know very well I did not mean any such thing,” she cried with affected pettishness; “can you not be serious for a moment, and answer a plain question?”
“I dislike answering questions,” said Hamilton absently, and once more looking towards the door.
“Now, there you are again with your eyes fixed on that tiresome——”
He turned around, took a well-stuffed sofa-cushion, and, placing it before him, leaned his elbows upon it, while he quietly but steadily fixed his eyes on her face, and said:
“Now, madame, if it must be so, I am ready to be questioned.”
“You really are the most disagreeable person I ever met.”
“That is an observation, and not a question.”
“You are the vainest——”
Hamilton looked down, and seemed determined not to interrupt her again.
“Are you offended at my candour,” she added, abruptly.