Lady Jean's eyes flash fire beneath their lowered lids. What she has forfeited she hates to hear praised as another woman's possession.
"I am glad you find her such a paragon of virtue," she sneers. "And it must be a novel sensation for you to—respect—a woman."
"It is—rather," he answers in the same tone. "There are not many who give us the chance!"
"I think your visit has lasted long enough," says Lady Jean coldly. "As I told you before, I have to be doubly careful of les convenances; I am glad you did not give your name. And please do not call again until I send you word."
"You have grown mighty particular all of a sudden," exclaimed Sir Francis angrily. "Why the deuce shouldn't I call if I please? We are old friends, and surely——"
"Oh, certainly we are old friends," says Lady Jean maliciously. "But you see it behoves me to be careful. I have my future prospects to consider."
"Jean! You are not in earnest, you are only trying me?"
"Mon cher, I was never more in earnest in my life. I am not going to be a martyr to one man's misguided rashness, or another's selfish passion. Not I indeed. Ce n'est pas mon métier. No; I shall do the best for myself, as I have said before; and you will be magnanimous, I know, and permit the—sacrifice."
"I don't know so much about that," says Sir Francis, an evil light gleaming in his eyes. "You are too much to me for me ever to yield you up to another man. Of course before—well, that could not be helped. But now——"
"Now," says Lady Jean, with her cold smile, "you have learnt that to respect a woman is better than to love her. I only wish to follow your good example. I should like to be able to—respect—a man."