A smile of sheer irony formed on her lips—without her knowing it was there. She said:
“Have you had a good time at Count Rosek's?” And, without her will, against her will, the words slipped out: “I'm afraid you've missed the music-room!”
His stare wavered; he began to walk up and down.
“Missed! Missed everything! I have been very miserable, Gyp. You've no idea how miserable. Yes, miserable, miserable, miserable!” With each repetition of that word, his voice grew gayer. And kneeling down in front of her, he stretched his long arms round her till they met behind her waist: “Ah, my Gyp! I shall be a different being, now.”
And Gyp went on smiling. Between that, and stabbing these false raptures to the heart, there seemed to be nothing she could do. The moment his hands relaxed, she got up and said:
“You know there's a baby in the house?”
He laughed.
“Ah, the baby! I'd forgotten. Let's go up and see it.”
Gyp answered:
“You go.”