'I'm not thinking of myself, Mildred. I am sure you would not do anything wrong, that you would not disgrace yourself; I was merely wondering what people would think. Do the priests approve of this kind of writing?'
'I don't submit my writings to my Confessor,' Mildred answered laughing.
'And your position in this house. Your intimacy with M. Delacour. I found you sitting side by side on this sofa.'
'I never heard before that there was any harm in sitting on a sofa with a man. But there are people who see immorality in every piece of furniture in a drawing-room.'
'You seemed very intimate, that's all. What does Madame Delacour say?
Does she approve of this intimacy?'
'I don't know what you mean. What intimacy? Madame Delacour does not see any harm in my sitting on a sofa with her husband. She knows me very well. She knows that I wouldn't do anything wrong. She's my most intimate friend; she is quite satisfied, I can assure you. I'll introduce you to her as you go out.'
'I see you are anxious to join your company, I must not keep you from your guests any longer. I suppose I shall not see you again, I return to-morrow.'
'Then it is good-bye.'
'I suppose so, unless you return with me.'
'Return to Sutton to look after your house!'