Bingham?" said
Beatrice.
"On the contrary," he answered. "Why should I be dull? I cannot be so
dull as I should be by myself."
Beatrice hesitated, and then spoke again. "We are a curious family, Mr.
Bingham; you may have seen as much this afternoon. Had you not better
think it over?"
"If you mean that you do not want me to come, I won't," he said rather
bluntly, and next second felt that he had made a mistake.
"I!" Beatrice answered, opening her eyes. "I have no wishes in the
matter. The fact is that we are poor, and let lodgings--that is what it
comes to. If you think they will suit you, you are quite right to take
them."
Geoffrey coloured. He was a man who could not bear to lay himself open
to the smallest rebuff from a woman, and he had brought this on himself.
Beatrice saw it and relented.
"Of course, Mr. Bingham, so far as I am concerned, I shall be the
gainer if you do come. I do not meet so many people with whom I care
to associate, and from whom I can learn, that I wish to throw a chance
away."
"I think you misunderstand me a little," he said; "I only meant that
perhaps you would not wish to be bothered with Effie, Miss Granger.
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