"Eva has always been considered good-looking," remarked the other solemnly.
"I don't particularly care for Hayes himself," said Reggie. "He's so awfully polite and dried up. But I expect your sister's made him wake up a bit. I want to know her. Where is she?"
"They're abroad again, at present. Jim Armine's with them."
"Jim Armine?" said Reggie, doubtfully. "That pale chap with a big place in Somersetshire?"
"Probably the same. I don't know why Eva likes him so. I can't bear him."
"He's an oily sort of fellow," remarked Reggie, frankly. "But lots of women like him. He's too clever for me. I'm awfully stupid, you know."
"They met him abroad on their honeymoon," said Percy, "and he hung about a good deal, I fancy."
"I'm blowed if I'll have another man hanging about on my honeymoon," said Reggie.
"No; I don't suppose you will. It does seem one too many to the unbiassed mind. Rather like the serpent in paradise, who was certainly de trop."
"What serpent?" said Reggie, who was obviously thinking of something else. "Oh, I see, the devil, you mean."