Stark indicated a chair, with a courteous motion, and then allowed himself to be seated.
"She is a remarkably beautiful young woman," he returned, in his impartial way of shedding optimism. Electra made an impatient gesture.
"I know—I know. It's easy enough to be handsome."
"Oh, is it?" commented Madam Fulton.
"But what do you think of her?"
"What do you mean, Electra?" asked her grandmother testily. She was prepared to hear that Electra thought the stranger lacking in poise.
A deep red had risen to Electra's cheeks. Her hands flew together in a nervous clasp. She had momentarily lost what poise she herself possessed.
"Can't you see," she urged, "that girl is an adventuress?"
Grandmother was leaning forward, enchanted at the prospect. She seemed to have before her an absorbing work of fiction, "concluded in our next."
"Now what makes you think so?" she inquired cosily. "Wouldn't that be grand! Stay here, Billy. If there's any scandal about Queen Elizabeth, you must share it."