'It is for you to decide,' she answered. 'You know why I began it; I am ready to say my farewell whenever you bid me.'
'But what is your own feeling? I suppose you would in any case cease at our marriage?'
'You are not ashamed of it?'
'It is true,' he replied humorously, 'that I am a member of the British House of Commons, but I beg you won't think too meanly of me. I protest that I have still something of my old self.'
'That means you are rather proud than ashamed. How' long,' she went on to ask, lowering her eyes, 'is the British House of Commons likely to sit?'
'Probably the talk will hold out for some seven or eight weeks longer.'
'May I sing the two remaining engagements, if I take no more after those?'
'To be sure, you must. Let it stand so, then.'
She fell back into her brooding.
'Now I, too, have something to ask,' she said, after a short silence.