He stood, looking at the north window, which was a little to one side of her; while she sat staring past him, her lips straight and hard.
At last she looked up.

"What an odd courtship!" His gaze dropped, met hers, and he smiled.
"Yes--odd," he returned, dryly.
"But I suppose," she said, in a tone equally dry; "that you will make up for it, after we are married.

You will learn to like me." "Yes; after we are married," he smiled, ironically.
"That will be as soon as we can get to town, I presume," she went on, watching him with brazen directness.

"You see," she explained; "I have been here with you for about two weeks, you know, and my friends will ask embarrassing questions.

You are so _honorable_ that you cannot refuse to protect my reputation." "I am sorry, of course, Miss Wharton.