But immediately the color swept back into the woman's face and cordiality came to her lips and eyes. Taking the Virginian's hand she smiled also on her husband. The very fact that Eben did not realize her reasons for dreading such an encounter was a proof of his complete trust in her, and this surprise had been planned by him in advance for her pleasure.
"This is wonderful, Eben," she declared impulsively. "I was so astonished that it took my breath away. I didn't know, Stuart, that you were on this side of the ocean."
"Such is fame," laughed Farquaharson with a mock disappointment, "with my name on every ash barrel and every alley fence in this delightful city!"
They were acquitting themselves rather adroitly, under the circumstances, thought Eben, though their assumption of innocence was, perhaps, a shade overdone.
CHAPTER XXII
As they took their seats at the table reserved for them, a conflict of emotions made difficulty of conversation for two members of the trio.
Their prefatory talk ran along those lines of commonplace question and answer in which the wide gap between their last meeting and the present was bridged.
This, reflected Eben, was a part of the play designed to create and foster the impression that they had really been as completely out of touch as they pretended.