“No； thank you； sir。”
“And what for； ‘no； thank you？’ if one may inquire。”
“I never have dined with you； sir： and I see no reason why I should now： till—”
“Till what？ You delight in half…phrases。”
“Till I can’t help it。”
“Do you suppose I eat like an ogre or a ghoul； that you dread being the panion of my repast？”
“I have formed no supposition on the subject； sir； but I want to go on as usual for another month。”
“You will give up your governessing slavery at once。”
“Indeed； begging your pardon； sir； I shall not。 I shall just go on with it as usual。 I shall keep out of your way all day； as I have been accustomed to do： you may send for me in the evening； when you feel disposed to see me； and I’ll e then； but at no other time。”
“I want a smoke； Jane； or a pinch of snuff； to fort me under all this； ‘pour me donner une contenance；’ as Adèle would say； and unfortunately I have neither my cigar…case； nor my snuff…box。 But listen—whisper。 It is your time now； little tyrant； but it will be mine presently； and when once I have fairly seized you； to have and to hold； I’ll just—figuratively speaking—attach you to a chain like this” （touching his watch…guard）。 “Yes； bonny wee thing； I’ll wear you in my bosom； lest my jewel I should tyne。”
He said this as he helped me to alight from the carriage； and while he afterwards lifted out Adèle； I entered the house； and made good my retreat upstairs。
He duly summoned me to his presence in the evening。 I had prepared an occupation for him； for I was determined not to spend the whole time in a tête…à…tête conversation。 I remembered his fine voice； I knew he liked to sing—good singers generally do。 I was no vocalist myself； and； in his fastidious judgment； no mus