“I don't pretend I shan't be glad——”
“To be quit of me,” she prompted.
“To be relieved of the risk of you,” he corrected. “But not until I've fulfilled my promise.”
She smiled. “You promised you'd save me. I can't be saved. Varensky's talk about redeeming me was visionary. I was born to be what I am.”
He relaxed and sat forward, exerting himself to make the conversation less unfriendly. “Of course I know why you speak this way: it's because of my recent treatment of you. We were nearly found out at Dover; the anxiety of it's getting on my nerves. I promised to give you your chance; my promise stands. The least I can ask of you as a sportswoman is to play up to me.”
Her whole demeanor changed. The golden face flashed. “I will.”
“Then if this man is only an impudent admirer, how are we to shake him? It's my business for the present to protect you. If this is the sort of thing that always happens, it's possible that it'll occur again. I daren't resent his conduct. Ordinarily I should know what to do with him. How is the repetition of the annoyance to be avoided?”
A slow flush mounted from her throat to her cheeks. “You won't take my suggestion, so I don't think I'll make it.”
“Let's have it.”
Not looking at him, she muttered: “He'll try to scrape acquaintance. When he does, introduce me to him as your wife.”