"You make a mockery of everything," she said, her voice very low.
Sir Roland uttered a quiet laugh.
"I am nevertheless a man of my word, Naomi," he said.

"If you wish to test me, you have your opportunity." He immersed himself finally in his paper as he ended, and she, with a smile of proud contempt, turned and passed from the room.
She had married him out of pique, it was true, but life with him had never seemed intolerable until he had shown her that he knew it.
She took her invitation with her, and in her own room sat down to read it once again.

It was from a near neighbour, Lady Blythebury, an acquaintance with whom she was more intimate than was Sir Roland.

Lady Blythebury was a very lively person indeed.

She had been on the stage in her young days, and she had decidedly advanced ideas on the subject of social entertainment.