"Oh, there's nothing that can't wait," she said hastily, and pushed them into her hand-bag.
"I agree"—he assumed a bright, conversational air—"that some things are even more interesting for being waited for; the explanation of your conduct, for instance!"
She looked at him steadily, though her heart was beating rapidly, for this moment had come upon her with sudden unexpectedness.
"You appear to suffer from curiosity?"
"Don't call it suffering." His tone was suave. "I am enjoying myself immensely."
"I shall try not to do anything to interfere with your amusement," she remarked, after a pause.
"That will be kind. The situation piques me. I should like to watch it to a finish without contributing to the dénouement; unless"—he looked at her significantly—"I am obliged to."
"I cannot believe anything or any one could oblige you to be disagreeable, Sir Ronald," she jeered softly. He meditated with an air of gravity.
"There are one or two things, though; friendship, for instance—I would do quite disagreeable things for the sake of a friend." She was silent.
"I might even vex a woman I admire as much as I do you, to save a friend from disaster."