"In other words, you're going to make me responsible?"
"Doesn't that appeal to your missionary spirit?"
Jack looked at her and decided that even a formal protest would only feed her vanity. He stared abstractedly at her as though she were a horse led out for his inspection. Suddenly she smiled, and, as her face lit up with vitality and mischief, the haggard expression vanished and left her beautiful. Perhaps the smile had come in answer to an unsuspected light of admiration in his own eyes; perhaps she was a better actress than he thought and could transform herself at will; no one could gain her reputation as a coquette without earning it and working for it.
"It isn't fair to abuse me for behaving badly," she pouted, "if you're too lazy to make me behave well."
"I have a living to earn. You'd want one man's undivided attention," he answered.
"But I should be very repaying."
"You'd be amusing for a time. But it would be a wearing life; I'm doubtful even about this week-end."
"But you'll come?"
"If you haven't quarrelled with me or got into any fresh scrape by then." He turned on the door-step to shake hands with her. "When you marry, Lady Barbara, I shall send your husband my warmest congratulations."
"Thank you. I think that's the first time you've come near doing me justice."