“I think that I could make you so.”
“You could not, for you would not be happy yourself. You too have a conscience, and you know that if we are selfish we shall be miserable. Also there may be a change in Flora, and though I shall be fond of assuring you that our interests are identical, may I not ask whether you will not promise me the supreme control of our ménage?”[ménage?”]
“I will.”
“And who always keeps his promise? You are silent, therefore I proceed. After visiting Flora, go to your room and practise a contented smile before your glass, then descend to the dining room fully prepared to welcome our adored Stargarde, who will probably come out to dinner. Will you do this?”
He hesitated.
“Then all is at an end between us,” she said tragically. “I can have nothing more to do with a man as doleful as yourself.”
“You dear little witch,” and he put out a hand to detain her, but her laughing face looked at him from a door across the hall, and he was obliged to walk across to her.
“This thing has cut me deeply,” he said, “more deeply than you can understand. If you will consent to remain here till we are married, Flora may also stay till then—that is if she will keep out of my sight for a day or two.”
“Would you make a business transaction of it?”
“I lay no claim to perfection.”