Page:The Other House (London, William Heinemann, 1896), Volume 1.djvu/151

Rh "Far from it. In the safest place in the world—at least when you're not in it."

"In my own room?" Mrs. Beever asked.

"In that austere monument to Domestic Method which you're sometimes pleased to call your boudoir. I took upon myself to show him into it and to close the door on him there. I reflected that you'd perhaps like to see him before any one else."

Mrs. Beever looked at her visitor with appreciation. "You dear, sharp thing!"

"Unless, indeed," the Doctor added, "they have, in so many years, already met."

"She told me only yesterday they haven't."

"I see. However, as I believe you consider that she never speaks the truth, that doesn't particularly count."

"I hold, on the contrary, that a lie counts double," Mrs. Beever replied with decision.

Doctor Ramage laughed. "Then why have you never in your life told one? I haven't even yet quite made out," he pursued, "why-especially with Miss Jean here-you asked Miss Armiger down."

"I asked her for Tony."

"Because he suggested it? Yes, I know that."