She agreed with unflinching candour.
“I am. It’s the safer plan if one doesn’t want to be hurt!”
“But—what about the other people? Mayn’t they be hurt instead?”
She looked at me gravely for a moment, then with a smile which grew gradually broad and roguish.
“We ought to strike a happy mean between us, eh, Evelyn? You are all credulity and gush, and I refuse to disturb myself about other people, or their affairs.”
“That’s not true! You disturbed yourself about me!”
“Because it affected myself. I had grown fond of you, and so you entered into my life. Pure selfishness, my dear!”
“I don’t believe it! I won’t believe it! It’s no good trying to disillusion me, Charmion. I’ve put you on a topmost pinnacle, and it would take a mighty effort to tumble you down!”
“Dear thing!” murmured Charmion fondly. “Well—suppose we talk of the drawing-room walls? I’m a great believer in occupying oneself with the next step. Revelations of character will follow in due course—I plump for white!”
“White certainly. A warm cream white, with not a touch of blue in it. And the prevailing colour?”