"The nonsense you young people talk!" Mrs. Bollington Smith observed, as they reached the theatre.
Chalmers joined them soon after they had reached their box. He sank into the empty place by Maggie's side which Nigel had just vacated and leaned forward confidentially.
"So you've started the campaign," he whispered.
"How do you know?" she enquired.
"I was at the Ritz to-night," he told her, "at the far end of the room with my Chief and two other men. We were behind you in the lounge afterwards."
"I was so engrossed," Maggie murmured.
Chalmers paused for a moment to watch the performance. When he spoke again, his voice, was, for him, unusually serious.
"Young lady," he said, "I told you on our first meeting my idea of diplomacy. Truth! No beating about the bush—just the plain, unvarnished truth! I have conceived an affection for you."
"Goodness gracious!" Maggie exclaimed softly. "Are you going to propose?"
"Nothing," he assured her, "is farther from my thoughts. Lest I should be misunderstood, let me substitute the term 'affectionate interest' for 'affection.' I have felt uneasy ever since I saw Prince Shan watching you across the restaurant to-night."