Adrian stared, dumfounded. And he had so wincingly deprecated the effect of this limelight of publicity upon the shrinking heart of the rejected lover.
“I think it very hard you should be subjected to this,” he began sympathetically.
“Who—I? Why,—I was never so pleased in my life!”
“Why—what do you mean, Randal? It is a very serious matter; it might have had a life-and-death significance.”
“Serious enough for Floyd-Rosney,” Randal laughed bluffly. “Did ever a fellow so befool himself, and call all the world to witness! Of course, I deprecate the publicity for the lady, but everybody understands the situation. It does not injure her position in the least. That is the kind of husband she wanted—and she has got him.”
Adrian silently smoked a few moments.
“I never was so affronted in my life,” he said.
Once more Randal laughed. “I was simply enchanted,” he declared.
“Honestly, Randal, I don’t understand you,” said Adrian, holding his cigar delicately in his fingers.
“Oh, I am very simple, quite transparent, in fact.”