"No? What then?"
"It is not at all interesting to talk of me; I have already told you so—Why do you persist? I would much rather hear of foreign countries—Italy, for instance. I have never been there."
There was not the least subjective deference in her manner to him. It was as if an equal were talking to one of her own brain calibre and that equal a woman, who had a right to be humoured. Women—especially girls—were not wont so to treat him, but were always more or less impressed by his great position, or his aloofness, or his satirical but courteous wit. He had sometimes an expression of contemptuous, amiable tolerance, which was eighteenth century and disconcerting. It made all but the most simple or most highly cultivated among them slightly uneasy—Was he laughing at them? They were never quite sure.
He found himself piqued now, and in no mood to be balked, so he contradicted Katherine.
"You may not find yourself interesting to talk about; it chances that I do. I wish to know what it is that shields you so effectively."
"A clear idea of what I want, I expect, and a strong enough will not to be much buffeted about by any wind of opinion."
"What a rara avis! And you look so young!"
"I am twenty-three; that is fully grown."
"And what is it you want?"