A relieved sigh interrupted her.

“And if you continue to behave in this disagreeable fashion I shall not say another word about anything!”

Having satisfied herself that he was not going to venture a retort, she continued:

“We had a long chat, and I gathered, from all she said and left unsaid, that Jack, for some foolish reason, will not ask her to marry him.”

“Foolish reason, asthore?” he interrupted.

“Oh, I know you consider it a remarkable fine reason, but I tell you, ’tis rank cruelty to that poor child. As if she cared about highwaymen!”

“ ’Twas not so much that, I take it, as⁠—”