Now, be a good girl, and put on
your hat and come with me for a drive. It'll do you good!"
Irene looked at him as though about to refuse, but, seeming to change
her mind, went upstairs, and came down again with her hat on.
"Where are you going to take me?" she asked.
"We'll just go down to Robin Hill," said James, spluttering out his
words very quick; "the horses want exercise, and I should like to see
what they've been doing down there."
Irene hung back, but again changed her mind, and went out to the
carriage, James brooding over her closely, to make quite sure.
It was not before he had got her more than half way that he began:
"Soames is very fond of you--he won't have anything said against you;
why don't you show him more affection?"
Irene flushed, and said in a low voice: "I can't show what I haven't
got."
James looked at her sharply; he felt that now he had her in his own
carriage, with his own horses and servants, he was really in command of
the situation. She could not put him off; nor would she make a scene in
public.
"I can't think what you're about," he said. "He's a very good husband!"
Irene's answer was so low as to be almost inaudible among the sounds of
traffic. He caught the words: "You are not married to him!"
"What's that got to do with it? He's given you everything you want.
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