"
"Nor I," she answered. "Nor do I understand why I am here--at your
bidding, nor why I keep you always by my side whenever you choose to
take your place there. Are you a vain man, Wingrave? Do you wish to
pose as the friend of a woman whom the world has thought too ambitious
to waste time upon such follies? There is the Marchioness! She would
do you more credit still."
"Thank you," he answered. "I like to choose the path myself when I
pass into the maze of follies!"
"You have not yet explained yourself," she reminded him. "Of all
people in world, you have chosen us for your presumptive friends. Why?
You hate us both. You know that you do. Is it part of a scheme? Lumley
is investing money on your advice, I am allowing myself to be seen
about with you more than is prudent--considering all things. Do you
want to rake out the ashes of our domestic hearth--to play the part
of--melodramatic villain? You are ingenious enough, and powerful
enough."
"You put strange ideas into my head," he told her lightly. "Why should
I not play the part that you suggest? It might be amusing, and you
certainly deserve all the evil which I could bring upon you."
She leaned a little across the table towards him. Her eyes were soft
and bright, and they looked full into his. The color in her cheeks was
natural. The air around him was faintly fragrant with the perfume of
her clothes and hair.
"We couldn't leave off playing at the game--and act it, could we?" she
murmured.
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