That her husband had been drinking heavily all evening had not escaped Helen's attention, and it worried her. Nudging her sister she whispered:
"Ken's drinking more than is good for him. He never used to drink like that."
At that moment, the host looked up and caught Helen's eye. Raising his glass he offered a toast:
"Here's to the prettiest, the sweetest, the most desirable little woman in the world! Gentlemen and ladies—my wife!"
They all drank except Helen who, confused and annoyed, tried to turn it off with a laugh.
Noticing her embarrassment, Ray made a signal to Mr. Steell and they both rose from the table. Helen and Dick quickly followed their example and the hostess led the way into the drawing-room, leaving Handsome and Mr. Parker alone to their cigars.
The president of the Americo-African Mining Company was not sorry of the opportunity which this tête-à-tête afforded for a quiet business talk.
"By the way, old man," he began, "we haven't had a chance to talk business yet. You've got the diamonds, of course."
His host was silent. Mr. Parker thought he had not heard. A little louder he repeated:
"You've got the diamonds?"