Paul. Apologize? For what? (_He touches her hand._) Virginia. I imagined you too businesslike to think of doing anything like that. Paul. Well, Jenny, you were wrong that time. I've got an eye to business, but I'm not quite blind to other things. I've eyes to see the roses coming to your cheeks to match the roses in your room. Virginia. Yes. I do look better for my stay with you, don't I? Paul. It's working wonders, Jenny. The country is the place for you. Virginia. I shall be sorry to go. Paul. Oh, that's too bad. To talk of going. Virginia. Not yet, of course. Paul. And not at all, if I'd my way. Virginia. Not at all? Paul. Are you so set on towns? Virginia. I live in one. Paul. Yes, but I wonder why. It beats me why you and your mother want to live in ugliness with noise and bad air, Jenny. Where's the need for it? Virginia. Friends. Associations. That's all. Paul. You'd never want for friends anywhere. Virginia. But I've to think of mother. She's like an old tree, firmly rooted and she's hard to move. So we stay where we are. Paul. And you'll grow ill again. Virginia. Oh no. I shall be all right now. Paul. You'd be better here. Virginia. I can't stay here for ever. Paul. We might find out a way, Jenny. Virginia. How? Paul. Don't you see? (_Takes her hand._) Virginia. Paul! I never thought of this. Paul. I've thought of nothing else since I set eyes on you. Virginia (_withdrawing hand_). But I must think a little now and--and confess. Paul. Confess! You mean that in the town---- Virginia. Not in the town, Paul. Here! Paul. You don't mean---- Virginia. Yes. I thought I was so clever and could see what you and aunt were blind to. It was just a bad mistake, but I have had Zack in my mind a lot. So much, Paul, that I didn't think of you, or if I did it was as something not quite---- I liked Zack, and I fancied you were wrong to make so little of him. Why, even now, when Mr. Abbott came to say how pleased he'd been and you were puzzled at it all, I thought I'd guessed the cause and put it down to Zack. Paul. Well--that's a queer idea. Virginia. I know it must seem queer to you. I'm sorry I was stupid, Paul. Of course you must know best, living with Zack for all these years. But--isn't it just a little hard to keep him without money? Paul. You don't know all the truth. We do. We've had experience of Zack. Virginia. Yes. I suppose I'm being rash again. Paul. I think we've got the size of him, Virginia. He's bone-lazy. Virginia. Yes. Paul. Well, that's Zack. But I was talking of myself--and you. Virginia. You'll have to give me time for that, please, Paul. I made a false start and I have to see things all over again before I get them right. Paul. You're not convinced that Zack's a fool. Virginia. I have your word now, Paul. But that doesn't quite mean that I--I-- Paul. That you love me. Virginia. It doesn't follow, does it, Paul? Paul. I hoped it might.