"Oh—I don't know! He had two aces. It was unlucky he was done in spades."
"A lovely piece of Persian lamb. Just enough for the collar."
"No; a man with a beard never takes on the stage."
"So they got the grand slam!"
"I'm sure the Staal Brunnen would suit you."
"But she is so dark—her eyes and hair—you don't think——?" Voice dropped, man's raised in reply, and in the key of D sharp.
"Good heavens, no! What an awful suspicion! Not with that complexion."
Pushing back of chairs, general rising, general exit.
After coffee in the garden the party strolled over to the Casino in order to see the grand fireworks. The grounds were illuminated, and the crowd was immense. The entire scene was delightful, so gay, so exhilarating and so foreign. People of many nations sat about, or promenaded in groups, staring at the brilliant display, and listening to the band.
Some of the members of the late festivity assembled on the terrace, where they paced to and fro, or stood to exclaim at some specially marvellous effect. Miss Chandos was so closely invested by Uhlan officers and other friends that Captain Haig had no opportunity of exchanging a word with her. After several frustrated attempts he turned aside, took a seat apart, and, we may as well admit it, sulked! He watched with discontented eyes the gay throng of well-dressed people, the glitter of diamonds, the bright stars overhead, the bright light around. He saw Verona (as he mentally called her) now holding a little court on the terrace, again strolling up and down with an Austrian field-marshal or a Russian grand duke, and he realised how difficult it would be for him to improve their acquaintance, and what a complete outsider he was. There were too many notable worshippers, all competing for a lady's society and favour, and he was but an impecunious officer who must not venture to claim the privilege of sunning himself in the beauty's smiles.