looking at the fire in the most inconvenient way for conversation, so that he could only get a side view of her face.
"My father wants me to go to Southampton for the rest of the vacation" said Rex, his barytone trembling a little.
"Southampton! That's a stupid place to go to, isn't it?" said Gwendolen, chilly.
"It would be to me, because you would not be there."
Silence.
"Should you mind about my going away, Gwendolen?"
"Of course. Every one is of consequence in this dreary country," said Gwendolen, curtly. The perception that poor Rex wanted to be tender made her curl up and harden like a sea-anemone at the touch of a finger.
"Are you angry with me, Gwendolen? Why do you treat me in this way all at once?" said Rex, flushing, and with more spirit in his voice, as if he too were capable of being angry.
Gwendolen looked round at him and smiled. "Treat you? Nonsense! I am only rather cross. Why did you come so very early? You must expect to find tempers in dishabille."
"Be as cross with me as you like—only don't
