"You will go soon—won't you?"
"Out shooting? Yes," he answered, with a start; "I'll make arrangements, and we will set out the week after next."
"Thank you, a thousand times."
"Don't—I wish I could do a thousand times more."
At this moment Dominga and her partner returned and halted directly in front of them.
"We have been having oysters—delicious oysters," she announced, and a wild vivacity was in her face and manner. "I'd advise you two to go and get some before they are all gone."
"Thank you, Miss Chandos," said Captain Haig, "but I have not your courage."
"Cha-a-ah! fancy being afraid of a poor little oyster—a Bombay oyster! What are you two confabbing about? You look as if you were discussing the affairs of the nation."
Verona made no answer (a partner had come to claim her for the next dance), and her late cavalier replied to the question with a forced smile.
"We were only arranging the affairs of some of our friends."