He was genuinely shocked. “Claudia, I would rather not listen to such things. Really, the licence women allow themselves nowadays—— I can’t think how such ideas enter your head.”
She smiled, with a touch of amusement as well as a tinge of sadness, as she answered him:
“All sorts of unorthodox ideas get into women’s heads nowadays. I know you can’t understand, and that’s the trouble. You were made one way and I another, and then there came a whirlwind and threw us together.” She held out her hand. “Don’t let’s quarrel any more. I begin to see things more clearly.... I was cheated by Nature, not by you. But ... certain things you were—going to speak about, are quite impossible. Those days are gone for ever. We must each in our own way make the best of the remainder of our life.... Have you decided to go to Le Touquet at once?”
He was puzzled by her new attitude and the calmness of the frank brown eyes that confronted him.
“Yes, I promised Fritz to get away as soon as possible. I’ve asked Colin to go over with me. I knew you wouldn’t want to leave town just now, at the beginning of the season.” He had not considered the possibility of her going with him, but something in her new, almost friendly, attitude, made him add the last sentence.
“I will come if you wish it, Gilbert.”
He hesitated. She played golf much better than he. So did Colin, but that was different. The primitive man was strong in Gilbert.
“I think it’s hardly worth while disarranging your plans. You’ve got heaps of engagements, haven’t you?”
“Yes, but——”