She pointed to Isobel, who was leaning back in her chair laughing heartily into the face of a young man who was bending over her. By chance she looked just then older even than her years, and Arthur's glum figure, too, in the background was suggestive.
"Your house, without a doubt," I answered gravely, "if it is the house of a friend."
Her satin slipper beat the ground impatiently. She looked at me with a frown upon her face.
"Do you believe, then," she asked, "that I am her enemy? Does my offer sound like it?"
"Indeed, no," I answered, rising. "I am going to give Isobel herself a chance of accepting or declining it."
I crossed the room. Isobel, seeing me come, rose at once.
"Is it time for us to go?" she asked.
"Not quite!" I answered. "Go and talk to Lady Delahaye for a few minutes. She has something to say to you."
Isobel made a little grimace, so slight that only I could notice it, and took my place upon the sofa. I talked for a few minutes with some of the men whom I knew, and then Arthur touched me on the arm.
"Can't we go, Arnold?" he exclaimed, a little peevishly. "I've never been so bored in all my life."