It was not to discuss or even to think of them that I asked you here to-day." "Why did you invite me, then ?" she asked, smiling.
"Because I wanted the pleasure of having you opposite me," he replied,--"because I wanted to know you better." "And are you progressing ?" "Indifferently well," he acknowledged.

"I seem to gain a little and slide back again.

You are not an easy person to know well." "Nothing that is worth having is easy," she answered, "and I can assure you, when my friendship is once gained, it is a rare and steadfast thing." "And your affection ?" he ventured.
Her eyes rested upon his for a moment and then suddenly drooped.

A little tinge of colour stole into her cheeks.

For a moment she seemed to have lost her admirable poise.
"That is not easily disturbed," she told him quietly.