Reggie sat down again.
"Thank you so much," he said.
"There has been," said Lord Hayes, stirring his tea, "there has been a most destructive earthquake in Zante. The town, apparently, has been completely demolished."
Reggie tried to look interested, and said "Indeed."
"Do you know where Zante is?" asked Eva. "I don't."
"I think it's in the Levant," said Reggie.
"That makes it worse."
"Zante is off the west coast of Greece," said Lord Hayes. "I was thinking at one time of building a villa there."
"Ah," said Eva, "that would be charming. Have you finished your tea, Hayes? Perhaps you would order the carriage for to-night. I have to go out at half-past ten. You must find it draughty here with your bad cold. You would be prudent to sit indoors."
Reggie looked at him with sympathy as he went inside.