‘It is true. And she is very fascinating, without doubt.’
‘She is.’
‘Since she practises upon every variety of subject, I suppose she has practised upon you? Has she succeeded?’
‘In winning me? Yes. I have been her slave for many years; that is, when I saw that it was necessary to her self-respect that I should bend the knee before her, I bent it, and have enjoyed the greatest amiability and kindness from her ever since.’
‘Oh—that! I don’t call that being won,’ said Sara, with rather a disdainful curl of the lip.
‘No? What, then, is your idea of being won?’ he asked, as he trifled with the leaves of a plant standing in a pot near to him.
‘In the case of a man or of a woman, do you mean?’
‘Of—say of a man.’
‘Well, Luise has not won you. Have you read any of Browning’s poetry?’
‘Very little. Why?’