Laura flashed a smile at him.
"If you can make me love you enough," she answered.
"And you think I can?" he exclaimed.
"You have my permission to try," she said.
She hoped fervently that now, without further words, he would leave her. It seemed to her that it would be the most delicate chivalry on his part—having won this much—to push his advantage no further. She waited anxiously for his next words. She began to fear that she had trusted too much upon her assurance of his tact.
Corthell held out his hand again.
"It is good-night, then, not good-by."
"It is good-night," said Laura.
With the words he was gone, and Laura, entering the house, shut the door behind her with a long breath of satisfaction.
Page and Landry were still in the library. Laura joined them, and for a few moments the three stood before the fireplace talking about the play. Page at length, at the first opportunity, excused herself and went to bed. She made a great show of leaving Landry and Laura alone, and managed to convey the impression that she understood they were anxious to be rid of her.