‘Why didn’t he, then?’
‘Oh! I suppose he was afraid it might look like an assertion of—of—of baronial rights, or something of the sort. How could you behave in such an inconsiderate fashion!’
‘You must allow me to have some business of my own.’
‘Certainly. But with so many anxious friends, you ought to have given a hint of your intentions.’
‘I had none, however.’
‘Of which? Friends or intentions?’
‘Either.’
‘What! No friends? I verily surprised Miss Pease in the act of studying her “Cookery for Invalids”—in the hope of finding a patient in you, no doubt. She wanted to come and nurse you, but daren’t propose it.’
‘It was very kind of her.’
‘No doubt. But then you see she’s ready to commit suicide any day, poor old thing, but for lack of courage!’