“I trust Hilton doesn’t. Otherwise, the yacht . . .”
Pembury frowned.
“You called me your Best Man just now. Did you mean that, Dot?”
“I did. Why?”
“It gives me a right to say what I’m going to say.” Lady Elizabeth stared. “You’re not to gird at Hilton before me again. I know you’ld never do it before anyone else: and we’re such very old friends—we’ve always discussed everyone—that it’s easy enough to forget. But you——”
“Forget what?”
“That we’re on a new footing now. Hilton’s up on the daīs, and I’ve stepped down.”
The girl’s eyes narrowed.
“Upon my soul,” she said, “I think that beats it. First, you set out to teach me manners: then, you calmly announce that Hilton has usurped your place.”
“Hang it, Dot, I never——”