“That is, a lying story of two people who never existed, and who would have acted very differently if they had existed.” “Just so.” “Could you not imagine something just as amusing for yourself?” “Perhaps so; but it would be too much trouble. Besides, cooking takes away one’s appetite for eating. I should not relish stories of my own confection.” “Which volume are you at?” “The third.” “Then the hero and heroine are on the point of being united?” “I really don’t know. This is one of your clever novels. I wish the characters would not talk so much.” “No matter. Two of them are in love with one another, are they not?” “Yes. It would not be a novel without that.” “Do you believe, in your secret soul, Agatha--I take the liberty of using your Christian name because I wish to be very solemn--do you really believe that any human being was ever unselfish enough to love another in the story-book fashion?” “Of course. At least I suppose so. I have never thought much about it.” “I doubt it. My own belief is that no latter-day man has any faith in the thoroughness or permanence of his affection for his mate. Yet he does not doubt the sincerity of her professions, and he conceals the hollowness of his own from her, partly because he is ashamed of it, and partly out of pity for her. And she, on the other side, is playing exactly the same comedy.” “I believe that is what men do, but not women.” “Indeed! Pray do you remember pretending to be very much in love with me once when--” Agatha reddened and placed her palm on the step as if about to spring up. But she checked herself and said: “Stop, Mr. Trefusis. If you talk about that I shall go away. I wonder at you! Have you no taste?’, “None whatever. And as I was the aggrieved party on that--stay, don’t go. I will never allude to it again. I am growing afraid of you. You used to be afraid of me.” “Yes; and you used to bully me. You have a habit of bullying women who are weak enough to fear you. You are a great deal cleverer than I, and know much more, I dare say; but I am not in the least afraid of you now.” “You have no reason to be, and never had any. Henrietta, if she were alive, could testify that it there is a defect in my relations with women, it arises from my excessive amiability. I could not refuse a woman anything she had set her heart upon--except my hand in marriage. As long as your sex are content to stop short of that they can do as they please with me.” “How cruel! I thought you were nearly engaged to Gertrude.” “The usual interpretation of a friendship between a man and a woman! I have never thought of such a thing; and I am sure she never has. We are not half so intimate as you and Sir Charles.” “Oh, Sir Charles is married. And I advise you to get married if you wish to avoid creating misunderstandings by your friendships.” Trefusis was struck. Instead of answering, he stood, after one startled glance at her, looking intently at the knuckle of his forefinger.