“I am glad—” he said, in a gentle tone.
“Do let us walk up and down by the laurel hedge; we needn’t go in for the next dance, need we?”
“I promised it to Mr Cunliffe.”
“Oh—cut his dance. Never mind him; stay with me. Surely I am more interesting to you than Cunliffe.”
“Yes, you are; far more interesting: in fact, I don’t care about him at all. Nevertheless, I don’t like to cut men’s dances.”
“You will have plenty of opportunity to make up for all omissions when you go to London. I suppose you will be going there soon.”
“Perhaps so,” said Florence; who, however, by no means wished to revert to her future.
“When you go,” pursued Lieutenant Reid, “you will see plenty of me, for I am quartered at Knightsbridge for the present. I shall come to see you whenever I can.”
“That will be very kind of you.”
“Not at all. It is not a kindness to give oneself a pleasure—at least, I don’t think so.”