'I am unable to tell you; on no grounds, if you like to put it that way. But you do know; and you know I know you know.'
I rose from my chair.
'In that case discussion would be fruitless. Since Lady Desmond's reasons are of such an extremely recondite nature it would be useless for me to attempt to probe for them. Let us understand each other before I go. Edith, is it to be with us as your mother desires?'
'Not with my goodwill. I certainly will never marry Colonel Foljambe.'
'Then you never shall be asked to. I will not give you up, nor shall you give me up; but you shall be my wife before the year is out.'
'Douglas!'
'I don't know how it is to come about, but it shall come about; I do know so much. All these years have been wasted, but they shall be made up for you before long. You shall be as happy a wife as a man can make you.'
'Douglas!'
She had her elbows on the table, and her face upon her hands.
'What nonsense is this?' demanded Lady Desmond. 'Haven't I said that I brought you here to tell you that I would have no more of it?'