"Have you pictures?" she had asked, in surprise at a remark.
"A few—I wish I had shown them to you, as you care for them."
"But you have altered the old house?" There was a world of reproach in her tone.
"Not for the worse, I hope. It has been most carefully restored."
"Ah, yes—restored!" said Marjorie slightingly. The word was an abomination, savouring of destruction, in Norham.
Mr. Pelham smiled. "Come and see some day," he said. "I should like Mr. Bethune's opinion. My friend, the architect, wondered that I had not claimed his counsel."
"Why didn't you? People do."
"I realised my—presumption," he answered, pausing a moment for a word.
Marjorie turned to look at him.