“I can’t say,” said he. “I’ve never had one from whom to get any hints that would enable me to form an opinion.”
“Then what did you mean by suggesting to me that it was wife-like to please myself?” said she, with an affectation of shrewdness that was extremely charming.
“I’ve seen other men’s wives now and again,” said he. “It was a great privilege.”
“And they pleased themselves?”
“They did not please me, at any rate. I don’t see why you shouldn’t go down to my sister’s place next week. You should enjoy yourself.”
“You will be there?”
He shook his head.
“I was to have been there,” said he; “but when I promised to go I had not met you. When I found that you were to be in town, I told Ella, my sister, that it was impossible for me to join her party.”
“Of course that decides the matter,” said she. “I must remain here, unless you change your mind and go to Abbeylands.”
He remained thoughtful for a few moments, and then he turned to where she was opening the old mahogany escritoire.