“I defy you,” said Gerald, smiling.
“Listen! Why did you say Lucia in such a tone, a little while ago?” asked his wife.
Gerald Bennet smiled with arch kindness.
“Shall I answer truly?”
“Under pain of displeasure.”
“Well,” he began, slowly, “when I heard that Laura Magot’s husband had failed, as I knew that Lucia Darro’s husband had once been jilted by Laura Magot because he failed, I could not help wondering—now, Lucia dear, how could I help wondering?—I wondered how Lucia Darro would feel. Because—because—”
He made a full stop, and smiled.
“Because what?” asked his wife.
He lingered, and smiled.
“Because what?” persisted his wife, with mock gravity.