She reddened. “I do that already,” she said, quickly.
“What do you regret?”
“That my romance has come to an end.”
“All romances end at marriage.”
“I wish you wouldn’t talk like that. You grieve me to my soul by being smart at my expense.”
“You are dull enough at mine. I believe you hate me.”
“Not you—only your faults. I do hate them.”
“’Twould be much more becoming if you set yourself to cure them. Come, let’s strike a balance with the twenty pounds, and be friends.”
She gave a sigh of resignation. “I have about that sum here for household expenses. If you must have it, take it.”
“Very good. Thank you. I expect I shall have gone away before you are in to breakfast to-morrow.”