"It's very simple what he has been doing," was her angry reply. "You never take any pains to make life amusing to me, so I must look elsewhere, if I want society—that's all."
"And it never occurs to you that you are thereby incurring an unseemly obligation to a man whom I dislike, whom I have warned you against, who bears everywhere an evil name? You think I am likely to enjoy—to put up with, even—the position of being asked on sufferance—as your appendage—provided I 'shoot decently'?"
His tone of scorn, his slight figure, imperiously drawn up, sent her a challenge, which she answered with sullen haste.
"That's all nonsense, of course! And he wouldn't be rude to you if you weren't always rude to him."
"Rude to him!" He smiled. "But now, let us get to the bottom of this thing. Did Cathedine get us the cards for Clarence House—and that Goodwood invitation?"
Letty made no answer. She stared at him defiantly, twisting and untwisting the ribbons of her blue dress.
George reddened hotly. His personal pride in matters of social manners was one of his strongest characteristics.
"Let me beg you, at any rate, to write and tell Lord Cathedine that we will not trouble him for any more of these kind offices. And, moreover, I shall not go to any of these houses in the autumn unless I am quite certain he has had nothing to do with it."
"I have accepted," said Letty, breathing hard.
"I cannot help that. You should have been frank with me. I am not going to do what would destroy my own self-respect."