"She did not wish them to know. You must not think us snobs, Theresa, but in a place like this there are so many prejudices, and we do not want you to be hurt by them."
"I can't be hurt by foolishness, and I won't be in the conspiracy. And why should your mother feel like that? She is Mr. Smith's sister, and their father educated himself, and then made sweets. From her point of view isn't that as bad, worse even, than my honourable calling?"
He smiled gently. "Moreover, when my mother married my father she considered herself a member of his family rather than of her own."
"Oh! Don't hope for that from me, Basil. I won't be welded into anybody's family or anybody's nature."
"Darling,"--his arms were round her--"I never want you to be anything but yourself."
"But is it a self you like? Are you satisfied with it? You know"--she touched his chin lightly with her forefinger--"we're going to have a lot of trouble."
"Because we are together. Oh, I can smell it afar off. I did directly I came into the house."
"Don't you like it?" he asked, and released her gently.
"The house is beautiful--but we're not going to be alone in it, are we? Oh, I'm not complaining, but I rather wish we were going to have a semi-detached villa, and a maid like Bessie. Yet I hate housework! I'm afraid--I'm dreadfully afraid--I shall get annoyed." Her head was on one side, she twisted her fingers among his.
"Theresa, you will be considerate of my mother."
"Don't, don't, don't! If you put questions in the form of statements I shall go mad."
There was patience in his look, but he redeemed it with a laugh. "I beg your pardon. Theresa, will you be considerate of my mother?"
"I thought you prided yourself on your tact."
"I do. I have it highly developed, but the devil sometimes steals it."
"So was mine to me. She was--sweet, my mother was, but that didn't prevent my getting angry with her. I wish I didn't get so angry. Do you understand that you're engaged to a volcano, an active one?"
"She'll hurt you, often. Destroy you altogether, perhaps. Basil, I want to tell you something. There'll be times when I shall nearly hate you."
"I don't know. It's just me. I'm cruel. But love me always, and I'll come back to you."
"I can't help loving you, dear," he said, and kissed her hair.