“I know that. But to someone else?”
“My dear, I doubt I haven’t the aptitude for it. I will tell you if ever I discover it in myself.”
“I don’t suppose you will. Tell me, I mean,” said Letty with a flash of insight.
“There’s no knowing. I’m to understand your ear’s been tickled with pretty speeches tonight?”
She spread out her fan, and began to trace the pattern on it with one rosy-tipped finger. “I shan’t tell you that, Tony.”
“You need not.” Sir Anthony smiled a little. “It leaps to the intelligence.”
“But don’t you think, Tony,” said Letty sweetly, “that it would be very wonderful if no one had said pretty things to me?”
Sir Anthony regarded her calmly. “You bid fair to become a rare handful,” he remarked. “And that is all the compliment you’ll have from me.”
“I am very glad I am not going to marry you,” said Letty frankly. “You would not suit me at all. Perhaps you’ll marry my dear Miss Merriot instead.”
“Withhold your felicitations awhile,” he replied. “The event is not imminent.”