"The L. P. is coming here again—arrives to-night."
"Yes, I knew that."
"Oh, then, good-bye, Theresa. If you are an accessory before the act, it's all over, but the old gentleman and I have been hoping against hope."
"What hope?" she asked coldly, her hands on the back of her chair.
"We don't want you to marry the L. P."
"I have not been asked to marry him. Oh, how can you talk like this? I think you're vulgar!" Tears darted to her eyes. "And you spoke so beautifully about love!"
She had betrayed herself, but he hid his knowledge. "I say—I'm sorry, Theresa. I only meant it as a joke. Silly fool! And beastly bad form, I know; but, really, we do live in dread of someone's stealing you, and we've made special plans for his abduction. You shouldn't make yourself so lovable, my dear." He was right when he said he understood men and women, for now she laughed brokenly, but with pleasure, and spoke forcibly in spite of her trembling lips.
"I don't know why I should behave like this. Is it like me? Jack, is it like me?"
"Not a bit! Yes—exactly," he added, and again she had to laugh.
"And you've made me self-conscious and ridiculous!"