Salwey and Mrs. Lepell, who were standing close by, understood the scene, and pitied Verona Chandos from the bottom of their hearts.
How brave and dignified she was! How high she held her head! One might have supposed that her mother was a duchess.
"I am awfullee glad your pony won," said Nicky, in his Chee-chee accent. "O-ah, my! he ees a good pony!"
His civil congratulation broke the ice, and Captain Haig recovered sufficiently to say:
"Thank you; had you any money on?"
"Oh, no-ah! oh, my, no-ah," protested Mrs. Chandos. "Poor boy, he does not bet. Are you staying here?" she continued. "No?"
"Just for the races," he stammered.
"Oh, then you must come out and dine with us, and just take us as we arre. We live at Manora. Now you must not make any excuse"—here she put her head on one side and nodded in a manner intended to be fascinating—and which, once upon a time, had produced a gratifying result!
"I am engaged to-night, thank you," he answered stiffly.
"Arl right, then, to-morrow. Come to tiffin to-morrow—you see I will not let you off."