If we were at Monte, now--"

If Ann noticed his hesitation she made no comment on it. She finished
pouring out her tea.

"I'm very glad we're not," she said with decision. "You'd be too big a
handful for me to manage there."

"I've told you how you can manage me--if you want to," he returned swiftly.
"I'd be like wax in your hands if you'd marry me, Ann."

"I shouldn't care for a husband who was like wax in my hands, thank you,"
she retorted promptly. "Besides, I'm not in the least in love with you."

"That's frank, anyway."

"Quite frank. And what's more, you're not really in love with me."

Tony stiffened.

"I should think I'm the best judge of that," he said, haughtily.

"Not a bit. You're too young to know"--coolly.

A look of temper flashed into his face, but it was only momentary. Then he
laughed outright. Like most people, he found it difficult to be angry with
Ann; she was so transparently honest and sincere.

"I'm three years your senior, I'd have you remember," he observed.