"I've no doubt," replied Lady Errington bitterly. "You men are all the same."
"I sincerely hope not," retorted Eustace imperturbably. "I've no desire to resemble certain fools of my acquaintance. My character is no better nor no worse than my fellow-creatures', and had some good woman like yourself taken charge of my life I might have improved."
"You ought to get married."
"Do you think so--from your own experience?"
She flushed crimson, and in order to hide her confusion stooped down to pick up the child.
"Marriages are made in heaven," she said, trying to pass the thing off lightly.
"I understand there's a tradition to that effect," responded Eustace, indolently. "If that is the case, it is a pity Heaven gives a woman to one man who doesn't care about her, instead of bestowing her on another who cannot be happy without her."
"Is that your case?"
"Yes."
There was a pause, during which she looked at him curiously. He met her gaze calmly, and not an idea of his meaning crossed her mind.