"I shall arrange for you not to see her, if you wish that," says Margaret, deeply grieved in her kind spirit. "But I hope that in time——"
"If you are hoping that Tita and I shall ever make it up again, you are the most hopeful person alive," says he. "No—I tell you plainly—I shall go to see you when she is away, never when she is with you."
"But why? You certainly can't believe she has any tendresse for
Mr. Hescott."
"Why should I not believe it?" gloomily.
"Why should you? Dear Maurice, be sensible. I know that Tita cares nothing for him."
"How? Has she told you?"
"Not told me. But one can see."
"So can another one." He throws up his head suddenly, as if tired and altogether done. "There! I give it up," says he. "I have married an enigma, apparently, and my blood must be on my own head."
"You have married one of the sweetest girls on earth," says Margaret indignantly, stung by his nonchalant demeanour. "You are unworthy of her—you are not capable of understanding her." Rylton shrugs his shoulders. "In time—in time," says the gentle Margaret, now all aglow with anger, "you will learn her worth; but as it is——"
She moves towards the door. Rylton hurries to open it for her.