“I have not thought of it.”

“And that’s lucky,” she said, with a smile which sent his head spinning.

“Why?” The word broke from him.

“I should hate a house I did not choose for myself.”

“You!—Fanny!” He made a step nearer, but checked himself, gripping the back of a chair, and breathing the words—“You are cruel!”

She darted a look at him.

“Do you want me to retract?”

He became incoherent.

“You—you know I daren’t think of what I want—”

“You might.”