She fell back and hid herself behind her fan.
“Let me tell you that you have positively become a very ... a very beautiful woman. Now is that like a compliment?”
“It sounds more like one.”
“Well, it’s the best I can do, you know. So you must make the most of it. And now tell me about Rome. How were you living there?”
“Why should I tell you about it?”
“Because I’m interested.”
“You have no need to be interested.”
“I dare say, but I happen to be. I’ve never quite forgotten you. And I should be surprised if you had me.”
“I have, quite,” she said, coolly.
He looked at her with his smile. He said nothing, but she felt that he knew better. She was afraid to convince him further.