Suddenly he resolved to speak to her more plainly. Till this moment she had kept their conversation at a certain level of pretence. But now her eyes defied him, and he replied to their defiance.
"Do you forget how much I know of you?" he said.
"Do you mean—of the rumours about me?"
"I mean what you told me of yourself."
"When was that? Oh, do you mean in your consulting room? And you believe all a woman tells you?"
She smiled at him satirically.
"I believe what you told me that day in my consulting-room, as thoroughly as I disbelieve what you told me, and Mr. Armine, the night we met you at supper."
"And what are your grounds for your belief and disbelief?"
"Suppose I said my instinct?"
"I should answer, by all means trust it, if you like. Only do not expect every one to trust it, too."