“Then God pity other men,” she answered pantingly.
She had drawn away from him, and there was anger in her eyes.
“You dare kiss me after what I have said. Do you think that I am a young girl to be swayed by a caress?”
“You are a fool, and don’t know when you’re well off,” he said savagely.
And there followed silence, save for the sound of Lady Mildred’s quick breathing.
“Forgive me, dear. I forgot myself for the moment. Let us talk the wretched business over quietly, and I think that I can convince you that you are making a great fuss about nothing,” he said quietly.
“I am willing to listen to you, but don’t touch me again, please. If you do I shall hate you.”
He gave her a look that was full of appeal, and when her face did not soften, a sigh escaped him. But now he had recovered himself and was determined not to make another false move. She had told him that she loved him. With that in his favor he must win in the end, and could afford to be patient.
“Sit down, dear, and let us talk the thing over sensibly. You don’t mind if I smoke?”
As he spoke he took a cigar and spent a long time in preparing it for smoking.