This was true. But the very truth of it made the Doctor more angry. "I shall take her back with me," he said.
"She doesn't wish to go."
"That makes no difference."
And then Sally "supposed" that it was not his intention to drag her back "in chains?" Mrs. Lowndes was evidently much displeased with Cousin Reginald.
The Doctor took Garda to a remote part of the garden. Here he placed before her in serious words the strong wish he had that she should return with him to Gracias.
Garda laughed out merrily. Then she came and kissed him. "Don't ask me to do anything so horribly disagreeable," she said, coaxingly.
"Would it be disagreeable?" asked the Doctor, his voice changing to pathos.
"Of course. For you're not nice to Lucian, you know you're not; how can I like that?"
"I will be—nice," said the Doctor, borrowing her word, though the use of it in that sense was to him like turning a somersault.
"Would you really try?" said Garda. She came behind him, putting her arms round his neck and resting her head on his shoulder. "You never could," she said, fondly. And then, as though he were some big good-natured animal, a magnanimous elephant or bear, she let him feel the weight of her little dimpled chin.