"I don't understand," she said.
Peter felt his mind twisting like a serpent:
"Will you come back with me to last night?"
"You are talking nonsense. Put your head into your law-books, write plays, travel about—anything."
"I want you, Vivette."
She rose, and stood dismissing him. "This is worse than I thought. You are ready to take the second best."
"You are first and last."
"Therefore," she lashed at him, "you want me for a mistress."
"I have asked you to marry me."