"Nor is it," he said with a laugh; "but it is business, my dear Eveline, odious business, into which Jasper inveigles me."
"I thought Mr. Vermont was the new machine that was to save you trouble?"
"Yes, that's what I thought," was the languid reply. "But one has to turn the handle, even of machines. There are signatures, and leases, and Heaven knows what besides."
"How is Lord Barminster?" she inquired.
"Splendid."
"Lady Constance also well?"--with the slightest tinge of restraint in her voice.
"Yes," he answered indifferently; adding, "but you haven't asked after 'King Cole.'"
"Ah, no, but you would have told me at first if anything had been wrong with him."
Leroy smiled. He knew that to be true.
"He will win, you think?" she asked anxiously.