"A strong-minded woman, Miss Marjory."
"He's talking nonsense, Marjory."
"I supplied a historical instance in Miss Valentine's favour."
"I shall look her up," said Marjory, at which Lord Semingham smiled in quiet amusement. He was a man who saw his joke a long way off, and could wait patiently for it.
"Yes, do," he said, lighting a cigarette.
Adela had grown grave, and was watching the girl's face. It was a pretty face, and not a silly one; and Marjory's blue eyes gazed out to sea, as though she were looking at something a great way off. Adela, with a frown of impatience, turned to her other neighbour. She would not be troubled with aspirations there. In fact, she was still annoyed with her young friend on Evan Haselden's account. But it was no use turning to Lord Semingham. His eyes were more than half-closed, and he was beating time gently to the Casino band, audible in the distance. Adela sighed. At last Marjory broke the silence.
"When Mr. Ruston comes," she began, "I shall ask him whether——"
The sentence was not finished.
"When who comes?" cried Adela; and Semingham opened his eyes and stilled his foot-pats.
"Mr. Ruston."