"'I care for nobody, no, not I,
And nobody cares for me.'
I told you that before. Why do you persist in thinking I am in love? Such a silly phrase! At all events"—disdainfully—"I'm not in love with Maurice."
"I am afraid not, indeed," says Margaret, in a low voice. "And yet you seem to have such a capacity for loving. Me I know you love—and that old home."
"Ah yes—that! But that is gone. And soon you will be gone, too."
"Never! never!" says Margaret earnestly. "And all this is so morbid, Tita. You must rouse yourself; you know some of our old friends are coming to see me on Sunday next. You will meet them?"
"If you like." She pauses. "Is Mrs. Chichester coming?"
"Yes, I think so, and Randal Gower, and some others."
"I should like to see them very much."
She has grown quite animated.
"The only one you don't want to see, in my opinion, is your husband," says Margaret, with a little reproach.