“Sure I’m offering for you! It’s mad I am entirely, but what of that? Come adventuring with me, me love! I’ll swear you’ve the spirit for it!”
She gave him one of her clear looks. “If I loved you, Lucius; I don’t, you see. Not as your wife, but only as your good friend.”
“Ah well!” he said, tossing up the dice again. “I doubt it’s for the best!”
“Indeed, I don’t think you would make a very good husband,” she said reflectively. “You would be wishing me at the devil before a year was out.”
“I might,” he agreed.
“Besides,” she said practically, “how should marriage wit you help Aunt Lizzie out of her difficulties?”
“Ah, to hell with the old woman! You’re too young to be worrying your head over her troubles, me dear, believe you me!”
“It’s when you talk like that I like you least, Lucius,” she said.
He shrugged. “Have it as you will. What’s it to be? Will you have a roulette table or the noble Earl of Ormskirk?”
“I will have neither!”