"You must really forgive me," he continued, after a moment's pause, "if I seem stupid. It is scarcely a month ago since I read of your engagement to Harbord. The papers all said that you were to be married at once."
She nodded.
"That's exactly it," she said. "That's why I am here."
"What, you mean that you are going to be married here?" asked Julien.
"I am not going to be married at all," she replied cheerfully. "Between ourselves, Julien," she added, "I found I couldn't go through with it."
"Couldn't go through with it!" he repeated feebly.
Lady Anne was beginning to recover herself.
"Don't be stupid," she begged. "You used to be quick enough. Can't you see what has happened? I became engaged to the little beast. I stood it for three weeks. I didn't mind him at the other end of the room, but when he began to talk about privileges and attempt to take liberties, I found I couldn't bear the creature anywhere near me. Then all of a sudden I woke up this morning and remembered that we were to be married in a week. That was quite enough for me. I slipped out after lunch, caught the two-twenty train, and here I am."
"Exactly," Julien agreed. "Here you are."
"With my luggage," she continued, swinging the jewel-case in her hand and laughing in his face.