'At all events I'm sorry I was so rude.

I lost my temper.' 'It was very natural,' said Mr.Van Torp meekly, but not looking at her, 'and I know I deserved it.

You really would let me give you the book now, if it were possible, wouldn't you ?' 'Perhaps.' She thought that as there was no such possibility it was safe to say as much as that.
'I should feel so much better if you would,' he answered.

'I should feel as if you'd accepted my apology.

Won't you say it, Madame Cordova ?' 'Well--yes--since you wish it so much,' Margaret replied, feeling that she risked nothing.
'Here it is, then,' he said, to her amazement, producing the new novel from the pocket of his overcoat, and enjoying her surprise as he put it into her hand.
It looked like a trick of sleight of hand, and she took the book and stared at him, as a child stares at the conjuror who produces an apple out of its ear.
'But I saw you throw it away,' she said in a puzzled tone.
'I got two while I was about it,' said Mr.Van Torp, smiling without showing his teeth.