She pulled her hands away from him.

“You know I adore you, Dereek.”

He caught the note of evasion in her voice.

“So that’s that, is it? The rats will leave the sinking ship.”

“Ah, Dereek!”

“Out with it,” he said violently. “You will fling me over; is that it?”

She shrugged her shoulders.

“I am fond of you, mon ami ⁠—indeed I am fond of you. You are very charming⁠— un beau garçon , but ce n’est pas pratique .”