"Take it. There is no longer any cause of quarrel between us. I raise the embargo."
The Minister took the hand, and shook his head.
"Ah, but you had no right to impose it," he said, with energy.
"Oh, for goodness sake, meet me half-way," cried Lady Henry, "or I shall never hold out!"
Sir Wilfrid, whose half-embarrassed gaze was bent on the ground, looked up and was certain that he saw a gleam of moisture in those wrinkled eyes.
"Why have you held out so long? What does it matter to me whether Miss Julie be a duchess or no? That doesn't make up to me for all the months you've shut your door on me. And I was always given to understand, by-the-way, that it wouldn't matter to you."
"I've had three months at Torquay," said Lady Henry, raising her shoulders.
"I hope it was dull to distraction."
"It was. And my doctor tells me the more I fret the more gout I may expect."
"So all this is not generosity, but health?"