"Then you are not offended, and you have forgiven me?"
"My dear Mrs. Wornock, why should I be offended? I have received nothing but kindness from you."
"I thought you might be angry with me for refusing the invitation to your luncheon-party."
"It would have been very impertinent of me to be angry, when I know what a recluse you are."
"It is a month since you were here—a whole calendar month. Why didn't you bring Lady Emily to see me? But perhaps she did not wish to come. Was that so?"
"No, Mrs. Wornock," he answered coldly. "My mother wished to call upon you."
"And you prevented her?"
"Yes."
"Why did you do that?"
"Dare I be frank with you?"