"You would take a profound delight in any thing just now that would help you to avoid answering my question, wouldn't you?" he grumbled. "You've forgotten what it was I inquired about, haven't you?"
She laughed in a low, clear way. Reynolds and Mrs. Ransom, lightly startled by the sound, turned their faces quickly and waved a greeting, as they glided out upon the placid stream. They appeared very happy.
"I shall not be put aside so lightly," he went on; "I can't bear it. You must answer me, Cordelia."
"Answer you what?"
He sprang to his feet, and stood gazing down at her with his face actually pale with emotion.
"You don't mean it? You can't mean to drive me from you in this way?" he cried, his voice a little husky.
"Sit down, do, they're looking at us—they'll know what it is," she murmured, making a deprecatory gesture with her hand.
He obeyed, saying rather ungraciously as he did so:
"What if they do know? We needn't care, they're no better. Reynolds is nearly crazy about her; he means to propose to her as soon as they're round the curve." He could not help laughing a little at his own absurdity. But Cordelia pretended to pout.
"You should not say such things about Agnes; she doesn't deserve your levity."