As she was going a faint spark of courage revived Arabella’s wits.  Seeing that she was now ready to speak, he opened the door wide, and she kissed him and went forth, feeling driven.

But while Arabella was attempting to give a definite version of the interview to her sisters, a message came requesting Adela to descend.  The ladies did not allow her to depart until two or three ingenuous exclamations from her made them share her curiosity.

“Ah?” Wilfrid caught her hand as she came in.  “No, I don’t intend to let it go.  You may be a fine lady, but you’re a rogue, you know, and a charming one, as I hear a friend of mine has been saying.  Shall I call him out?  Shall I fight him with pistols, or swords, and leave him bleeding on the ground, because he thinks you a pretty rogue?”

Adela struggled against the blandishment of this old familiar style of converse—­part fun, part flattery—­dismissed since the great idea had governed Brookfield.

“Please tell me what you called me down for, dear?”

“To give you a lesson in sitting on chairs.  ’Adela, or the Puritan sister,’ thus:  you sit on the extremest edge, and your eyes peruse the ceiling; and...”

“Oh! will you ever forget that perfectly ridiculous scene?” Adela cried in anguish.

She was led by easy stages to talk of Besworth.

“Understand,” said Wilfrid, “that I am indifferent about it.  The idea sprang from you—­I mean from my pretty sister Adela, who is President of the Council of Three.  I hold that young woman responsible for all that they do.  Am I wrong?  Oh, very well.  You suggested Besworth, at all events.  And—­if we quarrel, I shall cut off one of your curls.”

“We never will quarrel, my darling,” quoth Adela softly.  “Unless—­” she added.

Wilfrid kissed her forehead.

“Unless what?”

“Well, then, you must tell me who it is that talks of me in that objectionable manner; I do not like it.”

“Shall I convey that intimation?”

“I choose to ask, simply that I may defend myself.”

“I choose to keep him buried, then, simply to save his life.”

Adela made a mouth, and Wilfrid went on:  “By the way, I want you to know Lady Charlotte; you will take to one another.  She likes you, already—­ says you want dash; but on that point there may be two opinions.”

“If dash,” said Adela, quite beguiled, “—­that is, dash!—­what does it mean?  But, if Lady Charlotte means by dash—­am I really wanting in it?  I should define it, the quality of being openly natural without vulgarity; and surely...!”

“Then you two differ a little, and must meet and settle your dispute.  You don’t differ about Besworth:  or, didn’t.  I never saw a woman so much in love with a place as she is.”

“A place?” emphasized Adela.

“Don’t be too arch.  I comprehend.  She won’t take me minus Besworth, you may be sure.”