'I don't know.'
'I do. I know very well. They are absolutely disgraceful. A social connection with the first crossing-sweeper would be less objectionable.' He spoke with a degree of energy of which he was himself altogether unaware. He knit his brows, and his eyes flashed, and his nostrils were extended. Of course she thought of his own offer to herself. Of course, her mind at once conceived,--not that the Melmotte connection could ever really affect him, for she felt sure that she would never accept his offer,--but that he might think that he would be so affected. Of course he resented the feeling which she thus attributed to him. But, in truth, he was much too simple-minded for any such complex idea. 'Felix,' he continued, 'has already descended so far that I cannot pretend to be anxious as to what houses he may frequent. But I should be sorry to think that you should often be seen at Mr Melmotte's.'
'I think, Mr Carbury, that mamma will take care that I am not taken where I ought not to be taken.'
'I wish you to have some opinion of your own as to what is proper for you.'
'I hope I have. I am sorry you should think that I have not.'
'I am old-fashioned, Hetta.'
'And we belong to a newer and worse sort of world. I dare say it is so. You have been always very kind, but I almost doubt whether you can change us, now. I have sometimes thought that you and mamma were hardly fit for each other.'
'I have thought that you and I were,--or possibly might be fit for each other.'
'Oh,--as for me. I shall always take mamma's side. If mamma chooses to go to the Melmottes I shall certainly go with her. If that is contamination, I suppose I must be contaminated. I don't see why I'm to consider myself better than any one else.'
'I have always thought that you were better than any one else.'
'That was before I went to the Melmottes. I am sure you have altered your opinion now. Indeed you have told me so. I am afraid, Mr Carbury, you must go your way, and we must go ours.'
He looked into her face as she spoke, and gradually began to perceive the working of her mind. He was so true to himself that he did not understand that there should be with her even that violet-coloured tinge of prevarication which women assume as an additional charm. Could she really have thought that he was attending to his own possible future interests when he warned her as to the making of new acquaintances?