“Indeed!” she said coldly,—“what a strange incident!”
“You mean it is a strange channel for pleasant news to come through, perhaps,” said he, with a curl of his lip.
“Possibly that is what I meant,” said she, as quietly as before.
“None of these fine-lady airs with me, Madam,” said he, reddening with anger; “there are no two people in Europe ought to understand each other better than we do.”
“In that I quite agree with you.”
“And as such is the case, affectations are clean thrown away, Madam; we can have no disguises for each other.”
A very slight inclination of her head seemed to assent to this remark, but she did not speak.
“We came to plain speaking many a day ago,” said he, with increased bitterness in his tone. “I don't see why we are to forego the advantage of it now,—do you?”
“By no means. Speak as plainly as you wish; I am quite ready to hear you.”
“You have managed, however, to make people observe us,” muttered he, between his teeth,—“it's an old trick of yours, Madam. You can play martyr at the shortest notice.” He rose hastily and moved to another part of the room, where a very noisy group were arranging a party for pool at billiards.