“Well, I must say that’s not very enthusiastic!” Miss Arden said, still arch, but with a touch of acidity in her voice.

“Isn’t it? I hardly know Ramsay. If you and Lawrence are pleased—”

“Pleased! We’re delighted—for Elizabeth’s sake.”

“Then it seems to be most satisfactory,” he said calmly.

Elizabeth thought how grudgingly he had spoken, how detached was his manner. Pique made her cheeks rosy and her eyes bright, and when Miss Arden went to fetch her knitting, she looked challengingly at Mr. Hengist, and said,

“Why did you congratulate me in such a funny way, Mr. Hengist? Aren’t you glad?”

“Very, if you are.”

“Of course I am! I shouldn’t be engaged if I—if I didn’t love Stephen.”

“Wouldn’t you?” Mr. Hengist looked at her in that quizzical way he had, just as though he didn’t believe her.

Elizabeth was tired with a long day’s shopping, and pettish.

“I wish you’d say what you really think!” she said rather snappishly, like Miss Arden.

Mr. Hengist started to knock his pipe out against the fender; the measured, staccato sound irritated her, and she jerked her head crossly.

“My dear Elizabeth,” Mr. Hengist said slowly, “don’t you realize that that is the last thing in the world you want?”

She was startled, and her eyelids flew wide.

“I don’t know what you mean!”

“You ask me to say what I really think. That would be the truth, Elizabeth—the thing you’ve run away from all your life.”

“I haven’t!” she said hotly. “It’s only what you think! I—I do want you to tell me your real opinion!”

“Very well,” he answered. He shifted his shoulders into the chair, as though he were digging himself in. “I think that you’re making a mistake—and I’m sorry.”

Elizabeth gripped the arms of her chair, staring at him.

“How—how can you say such a horrible thing? I— making a mistake? I think it’s most unkind of you! And how can you know?”

“I didn’t think you’d care for my honest opinion, did I?” he replied, unruffled. “But you asked for it, and I’m going to give it. No one has ever made you look into yourself. Ever done it? Of course you haven’t. You cheat, Elizabeth.”

“I don’t! Oh, I don’t!”