“Let me look at your programme, if you don’t mind,” he asked with cool superiority.
She handed it to him unhesitatingly.
Yes, every dance was full!
“Who is this fellow, R.M.F., who has got himself down for the next? Can’t you throw him over—forget all about it—and give it to a very deserving young man instead?”
“How do you know that the other is not a very deserving young man also?” she asked with a smile.
“Who is he? He did not even give you his valuable autograph! Maybe he is not very keen about dancing—ten to one he is at supper! Who is he?” he repeated pertinaciously.
“He is my husband, since you insist on knowing.”
“Your husband——” with an impatient gesture, “oh, come then, that’s all right. The laws of society don’t permit married people to dance together. I never heard of such a thing. You’ll give me the dance, won’t you?” he added with tranquil confidence.
“No, certainly not!” she replied quietly.
“But if he forgets all about it, as he is sure to do—what then?”