He spoke without emotion, accepting the situation.
“To do? What do you mean?”
“Come and sit down. I’ll tell you.”
He took her hand and led her back to the sofa. When she had sat down, he poured out tea, put in cream and gave it to her.
“Nothing to eat,” she said.
He poured out his tea and sat down in a chair opposite to her, and close to her.
“May I dare to speak frankly?” he asked. “I’ve known you so long, and I’ve—I’ve loved you very much, and I still do.”
“Go on!” she answered.
“You thought your beauty was everything, that so long as it lasted you were safe from unhappiness. Well, to-day you are beautiful, and yet—”
“But what does he care for?” she said. “What do men care for? You pretend that it’s something romantic, something good even. Really, it’s impudent—just that—cold and impudent. You’re a fool, Robin, you’re a fool!”