“I’m sorry, that’s impossible. I have an urgent engagement.”
“Nonsense!”
Lord Spratte again seized the unwilling arm, and in the most determined way made for the Park gates.
“I want to talk to you about your engagement with Winnie. I’m afraid you’ve been very unhappy.”
Bertram did not answer, but with firm-set jaws looked straight in front of him.
“You know, if I were you I would try not to take it too much to heart,” he went on. “In a little while you’ll understand that both you and Winnie would have been quite unnecessarily wretched.”
He paused and looked at Bertram sharply.
“Will you promise not to turn round and bolt if I stop to light a cigarette?”
“Yes,” said Bertram, smiling in spite of himself.
“You think she’s a very remarkable young woman, but she’s quite an average girl. Perhaps she’s a little prettier than most. I know very few young women of her particular station who wouldn’t have acted as she has.”