“So I have inferred.”
The room was dark. She could not see his face.
“I am so glad you don’t mind. You used to fancy yourself in love with me—that was the only thing that worried me. I’m afraid I’m hopelessly conceited.”
“You have every reason to be. Maundrell has floored me. I respect him. But, as I remarked once, an American never stays on his back.”
“You’ll forget me? You’ll marry Coralie?”
He brought his hand down on her shoulder and jerked her close to him. She could see his white face dimly.
“I mean that sooner or later—this year or ten years from now—I will have you, and that you will come to me of your own accord.”
“I never will! What a detestable—— No matter what happened, I’d never love any man but Cecil Maundrell! I belong to him!”
“We shall see.”
He left her then and went out to the verandah. Lee heard his light laugh a moment later.