"I cannot thank you enough-"
"Oh, you nice Jack! Till the autumn? Promise!"
"Molly, I really-"
"Promise! I shall cry if you do not!"
"I cannot! How could I prey upon your hospitality for so-"
"What rubbish, Jack! As if Miles had not spent months and months at Wyncham when you were boys-"
"That was different-"
"-when you were boys, and now you are so proud that you refuse to stay three miserable little months with us-"
"No, no, Molly; indeed, 'tis not that!"
"Confess, if Miles were a bachelor, you would not hesitate?"
He was silent, nonplussed.
"You see! And just because he has a wife you are disagreeable and proud. You feel you cannot bear to stay with me-"
"I swear I do not!"
"Then why do you refuse?" she triumphed.
"Molly-really, I-" He broke off, laughing. "You little wretch, you leave me nothing to say!"
"Then you will stay, as I ask?"
"You are quite sure-"
"Quite."
"Thank you very much, I will stay. 'Tis monstrous good of you, I vow. When you are tired of me, say so."
"I will," she promised. "Oh, but we shall do famously! How pleased Miles will be! By the way," she continued, airily, "I asked the Miss Beauleighs to honour us on Wednesday, but, unfortunately, they could not. Still, perhaps some other d-"
She stopped, a little frightened, for he was standing before her, gripping her shoulders in a very elder-brotherly fashion.
"Listen to me, Molly. I know that you have discovered that I love Diana, and I know that you think to be very kind and to bring us together. But I tell you that 'twill not be kind at all, only very cruel to us both. If you worry her to come here, I must go. Do you see?"
Molly looked into the stern eyes, and her lip trembled.
"I'm very-sorry!" she faltered.
Jack drew her arm through his once more.
"'Tis nothing to be sorry about; and, indeed, I am very grateful to you for trying to make me happy. But please do not!"
"No, I promise I will not. But-but do you think you are being quite fair to-"
"Molly, tell me this: do you think you are being quite good to disobey your husband?"
The blue eyes were dancing. She smiled doubtfully.
"What do you mean, Jack?"
"Do you tell me that Miles did not expressly forbid you to mention this subject to me?"
She pulled her hand away, her mouth forming a soundless "Oh!"
"Well-well-well, how horrid of you!" she cried, and shook her fist at him. "I'm going now!"
Later, she found her husband in the library, and ran into his arms.