“Well,” she said in a vexed tone, “I was prepared to have a little difficulty with Kitty, but you, I certainly expected to take the good I had provided for you, and to have been thankful. You must really understand that there is nothing else that I can do.”
“I give you my word I’m thankful,” said Everitt, with a laugh.
“Then, why are you so provoking? Have you given up the idea?”
“Have I come to my senses? No.”
“In that case,” she said, “I can’t understand.”
“Oh yes, you can,” he replied. “Just reflect for a moment in what an uncomfortable position Miss Lascelles would be placed, if I accepted your kindness. She comes here unsuspecting, and she finds she must either stay and face what is unfortunately disagreeable to her, or do, as I am doing, go away and offend a kind friend. I don’t feel that I have the right to force the dilemma upon her.”
“It would not offend me if she preferred to go.”
“It would disappoint and vex you. When we make benevolent plans, we hate the people who thwart us. You have been splendidly benevolent.”
“Well, I think you are taking to scruples at a particularly inconvenient moment. And pray, if each of you flies off at a tangent directly the other is known to be near, how on earth are you ever to meet?”
“Ah,” said he, smiling, “but I am not going off at a tangent. Give me the chance, and see if I don’t use it.”