"I have offended you," he tragically began.
But Vivette intended to be strictly sensible.
"That is what I want to talk about," she said, very matter-of-fact. "I don't think you understand what happened last night. I am going to tell you."
Peter was puzzled. She was not Vivette of the shallow eyes. He caught her hands to draw her towards him, but she firmly resisted.
"No, Peter. Sit still and listen to what I have to say."
Peter flung himself, evilly discontented, in a far corner of the settee.
"You always wanted me to be serious," said Vivette, looking at him with some amusement. "But it does not seem to please you."
Peter could not at once recover from his rejected tenderness, but he felt he was behaving badly again. He contrived to put a little grace into his manner.
"I will listen," he said briefly.
"Tell me," Vivette began, "what are you supposed to be doing with yourself?"