They had reached the open French window that led into Mrs.
Lockyard's drawing-room.

He stood aside for her to enter.
"Well ?" she said, as she passed him.

"What is this weighty problem ?" He followed her in.
"What puzzles me," he said, "is how a girl with your natural independence and love of freedom can endure to remain unmarried." She opened her eyes wide in astonishment.
"My good sir, you have expressed the exact reason in words which could not have been better chosen.

Independence, love of freedom, and a very strong preference for going my own way." He laughed a little.
"Yes, but you would have all these things a thousand times multiplied if you were married.
Look at all the restraints and restrictions to which girls are subjected where married women simply please themselves.

Why, you are absolutely hedged round with conventions.