" I'm not jealous of him, if that is what you mean, but I've a strong notion that it would be better for him not be liked by you."
"Ah, perhaps you are right!" she said. Her voice was saintly, but two demons danced in her eyes. "Lavisse comes to Brussels this evening: I will engage him instead."
"You're a devil in attack, Bab," he said appreciatively. "That's a pistol held to my head, and, being a prudent man, I capitulate."
"Oh, Charles! Craven! And you a soldier!"
"True: but a good soldier knows when to retreat!"
"Shall you come about again?"
"Yes, but I shall be more careful of my ground. Today I rashly left my flank exposed."
She smiled. "And I rolled it up! Well, I will be good! Sir Peregrine shall take me, because it would be stupid to cry off now, but I will be very sisterly, I promise you."
He held up his hand to her. "Defeat without dishonour! Thank you!"
She leaned down from her high perch, putting her hand in his. His face was upturned; she said, with her gurgle of laughter: "Don't smile at me, Charles! If you do I must kiss you just there!" She drew her hand away, and laid a finger between his brows.