"Yes." The voice sounded now as if he had placed her. He smiled a little. "I remember it all now. I read it the other morning." He nodded at her, as if that finished the matter. But Mina did not move. "I'm busy just now," he added, "but—Well, how's your side of the affair going on, Madame Zabriska? I've heard nothing from my cousin about that."
"It's just wonderful to see you like this!" the Imp blurted out.
That amused him; she saw the twinkle in his eye.
"Never mind me. Tell me about the Tristram cousins."
"Oh, you are thinking of it then?"
"I never tell what I'm thinking about. That's the only reason people think me clever. The cousins?"
"Oh, that's all dreadful. At least I believe they are—they would be—in love; but—but—Mr Tristram's so difficult, so obstinate, so proud. I don't suppose you understand——"
"You're the second person who's told me I can't
understand, in the last half-hour." He was smiling now, as he coupled Mina and the handsome recalcitrant colleague in his protest. "I'm not sure of it."
"And she's been silly, and he's been horrid, and just now—well, it's all as bad as can be, Mr Disney."