"Baroness," Selingman declared earnestly, "it is an alliance for which no words can express my approval. It comes at the one moment. It has riveted to us and our interests one whose services will never be forgotten. May I venture to hope that your journey to Italy has been productive?"
"Not entirely as we had hoped," Anna replied, "yet the position there is not unfavourable."
Selingman glanced towards the table at which Miss Morgen had already seated herself.
"I must not neglect my duties," he remarked, turning away.
"Especially," Anna murmured, glancing across the room, "when they might so easily be construed into pleasures."
Selingman beamed amiably.
"The young lady," he said, "is more than ornamental—she is extremely useful. From the fact that I may not be privileged to present her to you, I must be careful that she cannot consider herself neglected. And so good night, Baroness! Good night, Norgate!"
He passed on. The Baroness watched him as he took his place opposite his companion.
"Is it my fancy," Norgate asked, "or does Selingman not meet entirely with your approval?"
She shrugged her shoulders.