"Oh, don't say that, even in fun. I'm coming to stay with you in the summer—at the Green Gate—unless you'd rather ask Rathbone instead."
"Or unless you'd rather go yachting with the Walmers," she remarked. "They have a daughter, haven't they?"
"Oh, Valentia, be anything but blasphemous!..."
"Really?... Oh, Harry!"
"Do you mean to say you need my saying it?"
"No."
"Then, I will. Valentia, I—"
She got up and opened the door so that Daphne should not have to ring when she returned.
When the two sisters left a few minutes later, Harry sat down again as if in deep thought and lighted a cigarette. His servant came in.
"Please, sir, Mr. Van Buren is at the telephone."