Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/42

 'Don't interrupt. That before I was married I had several—that is to say, several—well, several'

'Start quite afresh,' I suggested encouragingly.

'Well, then, several men were silly enough to think themselves—you know.'

'No one better,' I assented cheerfully.

'Oh, if you won't be sensible!Well, you see, many of them are Archie's friends as well as mine; and, of course, they've been to call.'

'It is but good manners,' said I.

'One of them waited to be sent for, though.'

'Leave that fellow out,' said I.

'What I want to ask you is this—and I believe you're not silly, really, you know, except when you choose to be.'

'Walk in the Row any afternoon,' said I, 'and you won't find ten wiser men.'

'It's this. Ought I to tell Archie?'

'Good gracious! Here's a problem!'

'Of course,' pursued Lady Mickleham, opening her fan, 'it's in some ways more comfortable that he shouldn't know.'

'For him?'

'Yes—and for me. But then it doesn't seem fair.'

'To him?'

'Yes—and to me. Because if he came to know from anybody else, he might exaggerate the things, you know.'

'Impossible!' 'Mr. Carter!'