“I don’t think you waited long enough to find out.”
“I escaped by the first open door, in case none other should present itself.”
“Which door was that?”
“That is my little secret. You must be as charming as charming to me, and I will be sure never to let you know.”
He laughed. “Mariana again?”
“Yes, Mariana,” said Rosalie, suddenly standing still and looking up at him, for they had walked along together. “How is Mariana? I want to see her again.”
“Oh, she is perfectly well, I think,” he answered. “But you cannot see her. The guest of Sir John Crokerly cannot fraternise with a housemaid.”
“When did you find me a snob?” asked Rosalie. “Of course I can see her. I—I should have written and asked her to call and see me, only things in your house aren’t quite on the highest principle.”
And Rosalie’s nose went one degree higher, and she drew her skirts more severely round her, and moved quite half an inch further away as they walked along.
“What do you mean?”