“Will I—”
“I think you will some day,” he went on. “It would make things simpler if you’d say ‘yes’ now.”
She was speechless. For the first time Jacob felt that he had scored. Perhaps it was not altogether to his disadvantage that at that moment a footman stepped out on to the balcony with a small package for him. Sybil slipped away and Jacob followed her into the room. Lady Mary looked up from the piano.
“One more song, Miss Bultiwell?” she suggested.
“If you will excuse me,” Sybil replied, “I must go home now.”
“Must you?” Lady Mary murmured, “Mr. Pratt will see you across the Square.”
“Quite unnecessary, thank you,” was the curt rejoinder.
“Besides, we rather want Mr. Pratt,” the Marquis, who had just made his appearance, intervened. “James can step across with Miss Bultiwell.”
Sybil moved quickly towards the door.