"Then why do you forgo your picnic?" demanded Judith.
"I don't know. To spite Gussie - to please Charles! Both, perhaps."
This answer was not encouraging. Judith was silent for a moment. She stole a glance at Barbara's face, and of impulse said: "Do you love him?" The words were no sooner uttered than regretted. Such a question was an impertinence; she was not on terms of sufficient intimacy with Barbara to allow of its having been asked.
Flushing, she awaited the snub she felt herself to have earned. But Barbara replied merely: "Yes."
"I should not have asked you," Judith apologised.
"It's of no consequence. I daresay you wish that Charles had never met me. I should, in your place. I'm horrid, you know. I told him so, but he wouldn't listen to me. I never loved anyone before, I think."
This remark accorded so ill with her reputation that Judith looked rather taken aback.
Barbara gave a gurgle of irrepressible amusement. "Are you recalling my flirtations? They don't signify, vou know. I flirt to amuse myself, but the truth is that I never fancied myself in love with anyone but Charles."
"I beg your pardon, but to fancy yourself in love could surely be the only justification for flirting!"
"Oh, stuffl" Barbara said. "Flirtation is delightful; being in love, quite disagreeable."