‘Only physically?’
‘Well, yes, actually; but potentially, why—that’s another matter.’
The dark eyes passed slowly from her brother’s face and rested gravely on their visitor’s.
‘Is he making fun of me?’
Lawford almost imperceptibly shook his head.
‘But what a question! And I’ve had no tea.’ She drew her gloves slowly through her hand. ‘The thing, of course, isn’t possible, I know. But shouldn’t I go mad, don’t you think?’
Lawford gazed quietly back into the clear, grave, deliberate eyes. ‘Suppose, suppose, just for the sake of argument—not,’ he suggested.
She turned her head and reflected, glancing from one to the other of the pure, steady candle-flames.
‘And what was your answer?’ she said, looking over her shoulder at her brother.
‘My dear child, you know what my answers are like!’