“Well, then, I didn’t,” replied Mary.
“Do you call that a civil answer?” inquired Mr Morpeth.
“No,” said Mary, half laughing, “I don’t know that I do, but—”
“But what?”
“The truth is, I don’t want to tell you how I got out of the room, and I shall be exceedingly, infinitely obliged to you if you will say no more about the affair.”
“A short time ago you said you would be exceedingly obliged, or eternally grateful, or something of the kind if I would climb out of that window and find the housekeeper.”
“And so I was—so I am,” said Mary.
“Looks like it,” observed Mr Morpeth.
Then they walked on a few steps in silence, Mary feeling still uneasy, and somewhat conscience-smitten.
“Mr Morpeth,” she said at last, “what are you thinking?”