“Didn’t you ask me,” she said, “whether I had ever met the man? I cannot remember—certainly I was at Alexandria with your father, so perhaps I did. You will be home to dinner?”
He nodded.
“Of course. How is the Admiral to-day?”
“Remarkably well. He asked for you just before I came out.”
“I shall see him at dinner,” Wolfenden said “Perhaps he will let me smoke a cigar with him afterwards.”
He stood away from the carriage and lifted his cap with a smile. The coachman touched his horses and the barouche rolled on. Wolfenden walked slowly back to his companion.
“You will excuse my leaving you,” he said. “I was afraid that my mother might have been looking for me.”
“By all means,” Mr. Sabin answered. “I hope that you did not hurry on my account. I am trying,” he added, “to recollect if ever I met Lady Deringham. At my time of life one’s reminiscences become so chaotic.”
He looked keenly at Wolfenden, who answered him after a moment’s hesitation.