She took it laughing, and showing an even row of beautiful teeth between red, full baby lips.
"You are the owner of this castle," she went on, as she gave firm rubs at the velvet pink cheeks. "That must be nice. You can do what you like, I suppose," and here a sigh of regret escaped and made her voice lower.
"I wish I could," Mr. Arranstoun answered feelingly.
"Well, if I were a man, I would!"
"What would you do?"
She turned and faced him, while she said, with extreme solemnity:
"I should never marry Mr. Greenbank."
Michael laughed.
"I don't suppose you would if you were a man!" At this moment, a footman answered the bell. "Bring tea, please," his master ordered, inwardly amused at the servant's astonished face, and then when they were alone again, he continued his sympathetic questioning.
"Who is Mr. Greenbank? You had to flee from him—you said he was horrid, I believe?"