'And the work, what do you call it?'
'Crewel work. And you like to see us busy?'
'Yes, especially when the work is done by hands so pretty and white.'
'As mine, you mean, of course?'
'Yes, Dulcie. How you do bewilder a fellow!'
'Don't begin as usual to pay me clumsy compliments, Shafto, or I shall quit the garden,' said Dulcie, her blue eyes looking with a half-frightened, half-defiant expression into the keen, shifty, and pale grey ones of Shafto, who was somewhat given to persecuting her.
He could see the outline of the locket with every respiration of her bosom. Could he but possess himself of it, thought he, as he proceeded to fill his meerschaum pipe.
'I thought gentlemen did not smoke in ladies' society unless with permission,' said Dulcie.
'Never bother about that, little one, please. But may I smoke?'
'Yes.'