Olive was vaguely troubled.
"Of course, I have every confidence in you," she said; "but I am sorry you did not leave the business with Mr. Dimbal. He is so very trustworthy."
"There are other honest men in London," replied Carson, with his usual smile. "By-the-way, how long do you intend to stay here? We have now been exiled for three weeks."
"I was thinking of going home in another fortnight or so, if that will suit you."
"Oh, as to that, don't consider me. I am going to London myself."
"You surely do not mean to let me return alone? You really must not. Think how everybody will talk."
Carson shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not care what they say," he replied, without the least show of temper. "To tell you the truth, I am rather tired of this farce. You refuse to treat me in any way as a husband; you surely cannot complain if I betake myself elsewhere."
"I thought our relative positions were quite clear," said Mrs. Carson, coldly. "I married you simply and solely in obedience to my father's dying wish; you married me--well, you married me, I suppose, for the fifty thousand pounds that went with me."
"In other words, our marriage is a bargain."