"Is it interesting reading?"
Eva looked at him, with a smile gathering on her mouth.
"Particularly interesting," she said. "I am sure you are interested too."
In the silence that followed, a tap came at the door, which was repeated, and Lord Hayes entered. He was irreproachably dressed in a black frock coat, with a fine gardenia in his button-hole. He was rather short-sighted, and blinked in the manner of a small, tame owl.
"I am sure I beg your pardon," he said; "but I tapped, and there was no answer, and so I came in."
Eva turned to him.
"It is of no consequence. Have you had tea?"
"I found some tea in the drawing-room, thank you. I am bound to say it was rather cold?"
"Have you seen your mother?"