"I don't think they do pretend."
"You're right, they're too self-complacent. They're quite satisfied with themselves as they are."
"If they are satisfied, they are very much to be envied," began Margaret.
"She's going to defend herself," thought Winthrop. "It's a wonder she hasn't done so before; to save my life, I don't seem to be able to resist attacking her."
But Margaret did not go on. She took up the last sprays and looked at them. "Then you think I had better let her talk on, without checking her," she said, returning to the original topic between them. "You think I had better not try to guide her?"
"Refused again!" thought Winthrop. "Guide her to what?" he said, aloud.
"Not to anything. Away—away from Lucian Spenser."
"Then you don't like him?" he said, questioningly.
"He is very handsome," answered Margaret, smiling.
"But that isn't what we're discussing, that isn't advice."