Of remembering how you like your tea.
_Oberville (with a change of tone)_. Since you call it a duty--I may
remind you that it's one I have never asked any one else to perform.
_Isabel_. As a duty! But as a pleasure?
_Oberville_. Do you really want to know?
_Isabel_. Oh, I don't require and charge you.
_Oberville_. You dislike as much as ever having the _i_'s dotted?
_Isabel_. With a handwriting I know as well as yours!
_Oberville (recovering his lightness of manner)_. Accomplished woman! (_He
examines her approvingly_.) I'd no idea that you were here. I never was
more surprised.
_Isabel_. I hope you like being surprised. To my mind it's an overrated
pleasure.
_Oberville_. Is it? I'm sorry to hear that.
_Isabel_. Why? Have you a surprise to dispose of?
_Oberville_. I'm not sure that I haven't.
_Isabel_. Don't part with it too hastily. It may improve by being kept.
_Oberville (tentatively)_. Does that mean that you don't want it?
_Isabel_. Heaven forbid! I want everything I can get.
_Oberville_. And you get everything you want. At least you used to.
_Isabel_. Let us talk of your surprise.
_Oberville_. It's to be yours, you know. (_A pause. He speaks gravely_.) I
find that I've never got over having lost you.
_Isabel (also gravely)_. And is that a surprise--to you too?
_Oberville_. Honestly--yes. I thought I'd crammed my life full. I didn't
know there was a cranny left anywhere.
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