That frankness which even she had sometimes found so crushing was gone.
"I really think you are quite right," she said, rising also, "and, besides, you see, it will give me a chance to talk to her as you wished." "To talk to her as I wished ?" echoed Barker abstractedly.
"Yes, about Van Loo, you know," said Mrs.Horncastle, smiling.
"Oh, certainly--about Van Loo, of course," he returned hurriedly.
"And then," said Mrs.Horncastle brightly, "I'll tell her.

Stay!" she interrupted herself hurriedly.

"Why need I say anything about your having been here AT ALL?
It might only annoy her, as you yourself suggest." She stopped breathlessly with parted lips.
"Why, indeed ?" said Barker vaguely.

Yet all this was so unlike his usual truthfulness that he slightly hesitated.
"Besides," continued Mrs.Horncastle, noticing it, "you know you can always tell her later, if necessary." And she added with a charming mischievousness, "As she didn't tell you she was coming, I really don't see why you are bound to tell her that you were here." The sophistry pleased Barker, even though it put him into a certain retaliating attitude towards his wife which he was not aware of feeling.
But, as Mrs.Horncastle put it, it was only a playful attitude.
"Certainly," he said.

"Don't say anything about it." He moved to the door with his soft, broad-brimmed hat swinging between his fingers.