'I assure you, nothing of the kind.'
There was a brief silence, then Cobb's voice again sounded with blunt emphasis.
'We're neither of us very good-tempered. We've known each other about a year, and we must have quarrelled about fifty times.'
'Do you think, then,' ventured the hostess, 'that it would ever be possible for you to live peacefully together?'
'Yes, I do,' was the robust answer. 'It would be a fight for the upper hand, but I know who'd get it, and after that things would be all right.'
Emmeline could not restrain a laugh, and her visitor joined in it with a heartiness which spoke in his favour.
'I promise you, Mr. Cobb, that I will do nothing whatever against your interests.'
'That's very kind of you, and it's all I wanted to know.'
He stood up. Emmeline, still doubtful how to behave, asked him if he would call on another day, when Miss Derrick might be at home.
'It's only by chance I was able to get here this afternoon,' he replied. 'I haven't much time to go running about after her, and that's where I'm at a disadvantage. I don't know whether there's anyone else, and I'm not asking you to tell me, if you know. Of course I have to take my chance; but so long as you don't speak against me—and she thinks a great deal of your advice—'