Julia waved her cigarette.
“You see?” she said silkily. “Of course it may be coincidence, but I’ve only to mention a flat which isn’t in Hill Street for you to perceive insuperable objections to our tenancy.”
“My dear,” said Hubert, “you’re talking through your switch. If you had suggested putting Hill Street in black, I should have been still more emphatic. Then it would have been sacrilege as well.”
“As well as what?” said Miss Willow.
“Nihilism,” said Hubert, and closed his eyes.
There was an indignant silence.
The two were to be married within the month.
The news of their engagement had been received with general satisfaction, for, while there were many young men in love with Julia and many maidens who could have done with Hubert, both were so popular that such as had lost the race felt that they had been beaten by a better horse.
An only child, rich and of great beauty, Miss Willow might well have been spoiled. Her character, however, was proof against such corruption. She was spirited, liked her own way, but she was not headstrong. Upon occasion she would take the bit in her teeth, but that was as much out of play as anything else. There was no vice in her. Her charm was swift: all she did she did eagerly: if she was careless, hers was a careless age. Her admirable figure was always admirably dressed, her little feet perfectly shod. Some men swore by her eyes, which were grey, others by her exquisite mouth; but all were most proud of her acquaintance and adored her company.
Hubert Challenger was a good-looking man. He had a fine record, a keen sense of humour, and a way of getting where he wanted to go at once more effectually and with less apparent effort than any man about town. His engagement, therefore, to Julia was good for his soul. He was tall, fair, keen-eyed, a beautiful horseman and a sound judge of men. Although a man of means, he was never idle: his small estate in the country was excellently administered: he was his own bailiff. He was generous, did all he had to do handsomely, was naturally amiable, could be most resolute—if occasion arose. His pleasant personality had much to answer for. Whenever he made an acquaintance, Challenger made a friend.