"For what, pray?"
"For proposing to make me a victim."
"Apparently you had small difficulty in escaping."
"As you say—apparently. But perhaps I conceal my wounds."
"You are trying to turn the subject, so that I will not insist about the little book."
"I wish, indeed, that you would not insist."
"But if I am the sort of woman you have indicated, I should think you would enjoy punishing me a little."
"A little, perhaps. But the punishment would be too severe."
They were walking slowly through the rooms; she turned her head and looked at him. "I have listened to you, Mr. Ford; I have let you say pretty much what you pleased to me, because it was amusing. But you cannot seriously believe that I really care for what you say, severe or otherwise?"
"Only as any right-minded woman must care."