“Don’t you think I’ve been married about enough?”
“Possibly; but this is a new line, it would be different. An Englishman—that’s a new sensation.”
“If I should marry it would be a European,” she said judiciously.
“Your chance is very good—they’re all marrying Americans.”
“He would have to be some one fine, the man I should marry now. I have a good deal to make up, you know. That’s what I want to learn about Sir Arthur. All this time you haven’t told me.”
“I’ve nothing in the world to tell—I’ve never heard of him. Hasn’t he told you himself?”
“Nothing at all; he’s very modest. He doesn’t brag nor ‘blow’ nor make himself out anything great. That’s what I like him for: I think it’s in such good taste. I do love good taste!” said Mrs. Headway. “But all this time,” she added, “you haven’t told me you’d help me.”
“How can I help you? I’m no one here, you know—I’ve no power.”
“You can help me by not preventing me. I want you to promise not to prevent me.” She continued to give him her charming conscious eyes, which seemed to look far into his own.
“Good Lord, how could I prevent you?”