The man seemed to have no manners.
Mr. Ruston said nothing, but gave a short laugh. Adela was not accustomed to be laughed at openly. Yet she felt defenceless; this pachydermatous animal would be impervious to the pricks of her rapier.
"You're amused?" she asked sharply.
"Why were you in such a hurry to take offence? I didn't say I wanted to go and talk to her now."
"Oh, well, I'm very sorry," he conceded, still smiling, and obviously thinking her very absurd.
She rose from her seat.
"Please do, though. She'll be going soon, and you mayn't get another chance."
"Well, I will then," he answered simply, accompanying the remark with a nod of approval for her sensible reminder. And he went at once.
She saw him touch Haselden on the shoulder, and make the young man present him to Marjory. Ruston sat down and Haselden drifted, aimless and forlorn, on a solitary passage along the length of the room.