"Do tell me, which of all my gowns you prefer?" she enquired, looking at him with the gaze of an ingénue.
"The one you are wearing," was his gallant reply.
"You mean that as a compliment, but you must have a choice," she answered impatiently—the pair were sitting in the verandah after dinner, enjoying coffee and cigarettes.
"Oh, well, if I must say, I choose the blue."
"The blue!" she repeated, "but why? Men always prefer black, or white."
"I like the blue, because you wore it the first time I saw you."
"Oh, you dear sentimental boy!" and Mrs. Villars extended a taper white hand, and patted his arm with playful commendation.
Nancy Brander, who happened to be in their neighbourhood, subsequently remarked to her aunt:
"I say, Fan, Lena Villars is making tremendous running with Geoffrey—he has given her a lovely gold bag for her birthday."
"Her birthday!" echoed Mrs. Tallboys, "rubbish—why, it's in October!"