'Let me introduce you to the Marquis of Twickenham.'
He had turned. Now he stared. I stared too. What she meant I did not understand, if he did.
'Edith! are you stark, staring mad?'
'Douglas, haven't you heard that it's a symptom of insanity to hurl at others reckless accusations of insanity. I can say to you, with Paul, I am not mad. But I am beginning to wonder if, somewhere deep down in your heart, you are not inclined to credit me with being something worse. For the second time let me ask your permission to make you known to the Marquis of Twickenham.'
She held Jimmy a little forward. What she meant I still had not the faintest notion. But it was plain that Mr. Howarth had. I could see that he shook; but whether it was passion or not was more than I could say.
'Edith, you are--you are making a serious mistake. Be careful; before you do mischief which you may be never able to undo.'
She looked at him for a second, as if she didn't catch what he meant. Then she took up one of James's likenesses.
'Isn't that Leonard?'
'No; it is not.'
'Douglas!--are you seriously saying that to me?'