“Never!” Tenderly. “When may I see you?”
“How importunate you are! Call when you will.”
“But if you are out”––he insisted.
“That will make it the more delightfully uncertain,” she said gaily.
“So it will!” Rubbing his hands. “Delightfully uncertain!” he repeated. And he departed with many protestations, taking no more notice of the thick-set man than if he were a block of wood.
“What an old ape!” growled the latter, viciously, as the marquis ambled from their stall.
“Do you think so?” answered Susan, tossing her head. “He has that air of distinction which only persons of rank and title can command.”
“Distinction!” said the other, who was but a well-to-do merchant. “I should call it bad manners.”
“Because he never noticed you!” laughed Susan, spitefully. “But why are we standing here? I believe you expect to take me home, don’t you?”