"He would say that you were so good as to invite him," she said. "He is very fond of coming here."
"I should miss him very much," he returned, "if he should go away."
She looked up quickly, attracted by his manner.
"But there is no likelihood of his going away," she said.
"I think," he answered, "that there may be, and I wished to speak to you about it."
He refrained from looking at her; he even delicately withdrew his hand, so that if hers should lose its steadiness he might be unconscious of it.
"Go away!" she exclaimed,—"from Washington? Laurence! Why should you think so? I cannot imagine such a thing."
"He does not imagine it himself yet," he replied. "I am going to suggest it to him."
Her hand was still upon his knee, and he felt her start.
"You are!" she said; "why and how? Do you think he will go? I do not believe he will."