(A faint quiver of Rose's mouth which might or might not have been a smile.)
"Rose, why did you marry me? Wouldn't any other hairless little dog have done as well?"
(A deep sigh from Rose.)
Tanqueray was now standing up and looking down at her in his way.
"Rose, do you remember how I came to you at Fleet, and brought you the moon in a band-box?"
She answered him with a sudden and convulsive sob.
He knelt beside her. He hesitated for a moment.
"Rose—I've brought you the band-box without the moon. Will you have it?"
She got up with a wild movement of escape. Something rolled from her lap and fell between them. She made a dash towards the object. But Tanqueray had picked it up. It was a pair of Tanqueray's gloves, neatly folded.
"What were you doing with those gloves?" he said.