"I noticed that she was dressed wholly in black," she remarked. "Perhaps she is in trouble because she has lost a relative lately?"
"She appears to have no relatives in the world," Arnold declared, "except an uncle, and he, I am afraid, is a little worse than useless to her."
Sabatini, who had been listening, leaned a little forward.
"She lives entirely alone with the uncle of whom you have spoken?" he asked.
"Up till yesterday she has done so," Arnold answered gravely. "Just at present, as you know, he has gone away. I only wish that I could find him."
"Going away, as you put it," Fenella murmured, "seems to be rather the fashion just now."
Arnold glanced up quickly but her expression was entirely innocent. He looked across the table, however, and found that Sabatini was watching him pensively. Fenella leaned towards him. She spoke almost in a whisper, but her tone was cold, almost unfriendly.
"I think," she said, "that with regard to that young woman you carry chivalry too far."
Arnold flushed slightly. Then Sabatini, with a little murmur of words, changed the conversation. Once more it became entirely general, and presently the meal drew towards a pleasant termination. Fenella and Lady Blennington left together. At the moment of departure, the former turned towards Arnold.
"So I cannot induce you to become my escort for to-night?" she asked.