“She knew⁠—Jack⁠—in Vienna⁠—I⁠—I wanted to hear all she could tell me of him⁠—I could think of nothing else.”

“Oh, Dicky! How⁠—how wickedly foolish I have been! And ’twas that that made you so cold⁠—and I thought⁠—oh, dear!”

He drew her head down on to his shoulder again.

“My poor love! Why, ’tis the kindest lady imaginable, but as to loving her⁠—!” He kissed her hand lingeringly. “I love⁠—and have always loved⁠—a far different being: a naughty, wilful, captivating little person, who⁠—”

Lady Lavinia clasped her arms about his neck.

“You make me feel so very, very dreadful! I have indeed been naughty⁠—I⁠—”

“And you’ll be so many times again,” he told her, laughing.

“No, no! I⁠—will⁠—try to be good!”