"Well?"
"I have been thinking——" Tommy began.
"I am sure you have," she said.
"I have been thinking," he went on determinedly, "that I played a poor part this afternoon. I had no right to say what I said to you."
"As far as I can remember," she answered, "you did not say very much."
"It is like your generosity, Lady Pippinworth," he said, "to make light of it; but let us be frank: I made love to you."
Anyone looking at his expressionless face and her lazy disdain (and there were many in the hall) would have guessed that their talk was of where were you to-day? and what should I do to-morrow?
"You don't really mean that?" her Ladyship said incredulously. "Think, Mr. Sandys, before you tell me anything more. Are you sure you are not confusing me with mamma?"
"I did it," said Tommy, remorsefully.
"In my absence?" she asked.