“Oh no,” said Adam, “I was occupying my time till you should come along and make love to me.”
“You wretch,” she said, with perfect calm. “You wouldn’t know love if you saw it.”
“Is it so rare at Court?” he inquired. “Perhaps I should spend my time better in looking at you.”
“Don’t be silly,” she said. “But tell me, what is your opinion, really, of love.”
“It makes a poor fare for dinner, a poor coat in the winter, and a poor comfort when you are dead,” said Rust. “It tricks the clever; it’s the wandering Jew of emotions. If you wish me to do you an injury, bid me to love you forthwith.”
“Where have you learned, that you speak with such wisdom?” said Lady Margaret. “Surely not such a child as Violet——”
“You do yourself an injustice,” Adam interrupted.
“Adam,” she said, “this is the sort of thing you say to all the women.”
“And which of your friends would you ask me to neglect?” he asked. “A woman’s judgment is the one thing I lack.”
“You are a heartless wretch!” she announced.