“How can I tell after knowing you ten minutes?”
“I can’t get a rise out of you, I see. You Englishmen are such phlegmatic creatures. I don’t believe there is a spark of impulse left in your island.”
“You are a very brave young woman.”
“Why?” She drew her eyelashes together, shooting forth audacity.
“Do you want me to kiss you?”
The muscles of her face twitched angrily. “An Englishman’s only idea of wit is impertinence.”
“What have Englishmen done to you that you are so bitter? I don’t believe those lordlings I have heard of, proposed, after all.”
“They did,” replied Miss Belmont emphatically, and quite restored. “Every last one of them. I made Dynebor fetch and carry like a trained dog. It was great fun. I used to say, before a room full of people, ‘Go get my fan, little man; I left it with Charley Rollins in the conservatory.’ And he would trot off; he was that hard up, poor thing!”
“I am glad you did not marry any of them; I am sure they were not good enough for you.”
“How polite of you. Why don’t you step out and let me see you?”