"'What? That young lady in the—— Oh, you thought they were from her? Oh, I see? How—how—oh, how very amusing!' And the heartless little wretch went off into another peal of laughter.
"'You pretended not to know her! Oh, dear! oh, dear!' and her laughter echoed among the trees again. 'I saw her looking at you, and you ate on like a pig! Oh, dear! oh, dear!'
"'Stop laughing!' said I savagely.
"'Oh, I'm very sorry, but I can't. What a scrape you've go into! Oh, me!' And she wiped her eyes (they were as blue as her cloak) with a delicate bit of a handkerchief.
"'You shan't laugh,' said I. 'Who were your notes for?'
"'Somebody I expected. He hasn't come. The waiter took you for him, I suppose. I never thought of his being so stupid. Oh, what a brute she must have thought you!' And she began to laugh again.
"I had had enough of it. I hate being laughed at.
"'If you go on laughing,' said I, 'I'll kiss you again.'
"The threat was a failure; she did not appear at all alarmed.
"'Not you!' she said, laughing worse than ever.