“Your Lordship must be familiar with many beautiful things of nature. By the way, I want you to visit our conservatory. We have some choice exotics there from the Orinoco.”
Rutley removed his monocle, and turned to Mrs. Thorpe. “My secretary obtained some rare specimens in Bogota, nevertheless I shall consider it a pleasure to visit your collection, for indeed it must be superb, judging from such natural beauty already in evidence.”
“You are coming, too,” said Mrs. Thorpe, turning to Hazel and Mr. Corway.
“Thanks!—that is,—we shall join you presently,” stammered Mr. Corway, looking at Hazel with a half smile.
Mrs. Thorpe looked amused as she said: “Oh, very well,” and then, halting on the threshold, turned again and added: “Hazel, dear, don’t forget the conservatory.”
Rutley and Mrs. Thorpe had scarcely gone when Hazel exclaimed: “Well! I’m waiting for you.”
“Of course,” Corway replied haltingly; then, after a pause, “Hazel!”
“Miss Brooke—please,” she corrected, with a tantalizing smile.
“Oh—confound it. Hazel”—he began again.
“Are you coming?” she interrupted, moving away, but with an aggravating smile playing fitfully about her face.