"Do not deceive yourself," gently, "and do not be offended. It is not you I have an objection to, it is marriage generally. I have only begun my life, and a husband must be such a bore. Any number of people have told me so."
"Old maids, such as your Aunt Priscilla, I dare say," says Archibald, scornfully. "Don't believe them. I wouldn't bore you: you should have everything exactly your own way."
"I have that now."
"And I will wait for you as long as you please."
"So you may," gayly; "but mind, I don't desire you.
"May I take that as a grain of hope?" demands he, eagerly grasping this poor shadow of a crumb with avidity, only to find later on it is no crumb at all. "Don't be cruel, Lilian: every one thinks differently after a while; you may also. You have said I am not hateful to you; if then you would only promise to think it over——"
"Impossible," airily: "I never think: it is too fatiguing. So are you, by the bye, just now. I shan't stay with you any longer, lest I should be infected. Good-bye, Archie; when you are in a pleasanter mood you can return to me, but until then adieu."
So saying, she catches her train in one hand and runs away from him fast as her fleet little feet can carry her.
Down the pathway, round under the limes, into another path runs she, where suddenly she finds herself in Taffy's presence.
"Whither away, fair maid?" asks that youth, removing the cigar from his lips that he is enjoying all alone.