Page:The Bostonians (London & New York, Macmillan & Co., 1886).djvu/426

 party, a sentiment of aversion which put an end to such attentions. He didn't laugh, he was too worried and preoccupied; but he replied, in a tone which apparently annoyed her as much as any indecent mirth: 'I thought it very possible you wouldn't see me.'

'Why shouldn't I see you, if I should take it into my head? Do you suppose I care whether I see you or not?'

'I supposed you wanted to, from your letters.'

'Then why did you think I would refuse?'

'Because that's the sort of thing women do.'

'Women—women! You know much about them!'

'I am learning something every day.'

'You haven't learned yet, apparently, to answer their letters. It's rather a surprise to me that you don't pretend not to have received mine.'

Ransom could smile now; the opportunity to vent the exasperation that had been consuming him almost restored his good humour. 'What could I say? You overwhelmed me. Besides, I did answer one of them.'

'One of them? You speak as if I had written you a dozen!' Mrs. Luna cried.

'I thought that was your contention—that you had done me the honour to address me so many. They were crushing, and when a man's crushed, it's all over.'

'Yes, you look as if you were in very small pieces! I am glad I shall never see you again.'

'I can see now why you received me—to tell me that,' Ransom said.

'It is a kind of pleasure. I am going back to Europe.'

'Really? for Newton's education?'

'Ah, I wonder you can have the face to speak of that—after the way you deserted him!'

'Let us abandon the subject, then, and I will tell you what I want.'

'I don't in the least care what you want,' Mrs. Luna remarked. 'And you haven't even the grace to ask me where I am going—over there.'

'What difference does that make to me—once you leave these shores?'

Mrs. Luna rose to her feet. 'Ah, chivalry, chivalry!'