For a moment or two they sat in silence, half listening to the progress of the game at the table which was now being played with renewed enthusiasm.
“Gertrude told me you got a royal flush,” she said at length. “What’s that?”
“All kings and queens,” he answered, carelessly, then asked: “Did Gertrude wake you up?”
“No. I wasn’t asleep.”
“She must be a mind-reader.”
“Why so?”
“Because, to be frank, I was wishing I could have a little chat with you, but I was afraid you’d gone to bed long ago.”
“And I was just simply aching to see you,” she answered. “I brought home the literary supplement about eleven o’clock and wanted to show it to you, but she said you had gone to bed. Just how I was going to wait till morning I didn’t know.”
Another silence fell upon them during which they both watched the intent faces at the table. Mauney was stealing occasional sidelong glimpses of Freda’s beautiful profile, and wondering what might be occupying her thoughts. To-night he had more difficulty than ever before in repressing the strong attraction she unconsciously inspired.