“Indeed!” he said, and smiled. “Miss Ford couldn’t be expected to understand our ways, Trenter. I will see her.”
He knocked at the door and a voice bade him enter.
“I am delighted to meet you, Cousin Diana,” he said, and looked round to discover how she might be met.
Then from his favourite chair a white hand appeared.
“Come in, Gordon.... I’m sure it’s Gordon.”
She jumped up and round to face him. She had taken off her shoes for greater comfort, and in her silk-stockinged feet looked very small. He thought she was pretty, just as he would have thought that a kitten was pretty. How very amusing.
“Well, young lady,” he said with paternal good-humour, “so here you are! I never expected to see you. Have you had a good voyage——?”
“Are you married?” She asked the question rather tensely.
“No, I’m not married. I’m a confirmed old bachelor.”
“Ah!” She sighed happily. “I was awfully scared of that complication—you haven’t kissed me.”