But nowadays, really, one is never safe from intrusion anywhere." "You are cruel, Hilda!" "Oh, no.

You deserve it.

I asked you not to come--and you came in spite of me.

I have treated you very nicely under the circumstances, I think.
I have behaved like an angel.

The question is now, what ought I to do next?
You have upset my plans so." "Upset your plans?
How ?" "Dear Hubert,"-- she turned to me with an indulgent smile,--"for a clever man, you are really TOO foolish! Can't you see that you have betrayed my whereabouts to Sebastian?
_I_ crept away secretly, like a thief in the night, giving no name or place; and, having the world to ransack, he might have found it hard to track me; for HE had not YOUR clue of the Basingstoke letter--nor your reason for seeking me.