“He doesn’t seem very happy,” he remarked.
“Who?”
Selden nodded in Halsey’s direction.
“Oh, he is never happy,” said the countess. “He is one of those unfortunate men who never know what they want—or when they do, are afraid to pay the price. Come—I will not sit here with him glaring at me. Besides, I have work to do—my reports to make!”
“To Lappo?”
“Yes.”
She was drawing on her gloves nervously. Selden asked for the bill and paid it.
“I also have a telegram to send,” he said, as they went out together. Over his shoulder he saw that Halsey was paying his bill. He glanced at Madame Ghita—she was looking after them with that little ironical smile, which deepened for an instant as she caught his eye.
“M. Selden,” said the countess, when they were on the esplanade outside, “I have to thank you for a lovely dinner—but more than that, for consenting to take me. I shall not forget it. Perhaps I can do something for you some day.”
“You can do something for me now,” said Selden.