"It means that I judge and despise you," she said passionately; "and
that it was not an attraction to me to find you here--quite
the reverse!"

"Yet here you are--sitting with me in this garden--and you are looking
delicious! That dress becomes you so--you are so graceful--so
exquisitely graceful. And you never found a more perfect setting than
this place--these lawns and trees--and the old college walls. Oxford was
waiting for you, and you for Oxford. Are you laughing at me?"

"Naturally!"

"I could rave on by the hour if you would listen to me."

"We have both something better to do--thank goodness! May I ask if you
are doing any work?"

He laughed.

"Ten hours a day. This is my first evening out since March. I came to
meet you."

Constance bowed ironically. Then for the first time, since their
conversation began, it might have been seen that she had annoyed him.

"Friends are not allowed to doubt each other's statements!" he said with
animation. "You see I still persist that you allowed me that name,
when--you refused me a better. As to my work, ask any of my friends.
Talk to Meyrick. He is a dear boy, and will tell you anything you like.