"Forgive me!" said Barnabas again.
"First," said my lady, throwing up her head, "am I—heartless and a—coquette?"
"No, indeed, no! Oh, Cleone, is it possible you could learn to—love me, in time?"
"I—I don't know."
"Some day, Cleone?"
"I—I didn't come to answer—idle questions, sir," says my lady, suddenly demure. "It must be nearly half-past nine—I must go. I forgot to tell you—Mr. Chichester is coming to meet me to-night—"
"To meet you? Where?" demanded Barnabas, fierce-eyed all at once.
"Here, Barnabas. But don't look so—so murderous!"
"Chichester—here!"
"At a quarter to ten, Barnabas. That is why I must go at—half-past nine—Barnabas, stop! Oh, Barnabas, you're crushing me! Not again, sir,—I forbid you—please, Barnabas!"