‘So much so that I was heartily sorry to leave the room when I heard them begin the topic; but I saw papa wished to have some talk with him, and I went.’
‘They were gallant enough not to join us afterwards, though I think we waited tea till ten.’
‘Till nigh eleven, Nina; so that I am sure they must have been interested in their conversation.’
‘I hope the explanation excuses them.’
‘I don’t know that they are aware they needed an apology. Perhaps they were affecting a little of that British insouciance you spoke of—’
‘They had better not. It will sit most awkwardly on their Irish habits.’
‘Some day or other I’ll give you a formal battle on this score, Nina, and I warn you you’ll not come so well out of it.’
‘Whenever you like. I accept the challenge. Make this brilliant companion of your brother’s the type, and it will test your cleverness, I promise you. Do you even know his name?’
‘Mr. Daniel, my brother called him; but I know nothing of his country or of his belongings.’
‘Daniel is a Christian name, not a family name, is it not? We have scores of people like that—Tommasina, Riccardi, and such like—in Italy, but they mean nothing.’