“Then why do you refuse?” she triumphed.

“Molly⁠—really, I⁠—” He broke off, laughing. “You little wretch, you leave me nothing to say!”

“Then you will stay, as I ask?”

“You are quite sure⁠—”

“Quite.”

“Thank you very much, I will stay. ’Tis monstrous good of you, I vow. When you are tired of me, say so.”

“I will,” she promised. “Oh, but we shall do famously! How pleased Miles will be! By the way,” she continued, airily, “I asked the Miss Beauleighs to honour us on Wednesday, but, unfortunately, they could not. Still, perhaps some other d⁠—”

She stopped, a little frightened, for he was standing before her, gripping her shoulders in a very elder-brotherly fashion.