"What hour did he say he was coming?" asks Tita, looking up suddenly from the book she has been pretending to read.
"About four. I wish, dearest, you would consent to see him."
"I consent? Four, you say? And it is just three now. A whole hour before I feel his hated presence in the house. Where are you going to receive him?"
"In the small drawing-room, I suppose."
"You suppose. Margaret, is it possible you have not given directions to James? Why, he might show him in here."
"Well, even if he did," says Margaret impatiently, "I don't suppose he would do you any bodily harm. Once you saw him the ice would be broken, and——"
"We should both fall in and be drowned. It would only make matters worse, I assure you."
"It would be a change at all events, and 'variety is charming.' As it is, you have both fallen out."
"You are getting too funny for anything," says Tita, tilting her chin saucily.
"Now, if you were to do as you suggest, fall in—in love—with each other——"