“If he kisses the letter, or anything like that—you mustn’t be surprised. He is very impulsive: he might even kiss you,” she added.
Eleanor stiffened.
“He won’t mean anything by it.” Diana was tremulously diplomatic. “He always kisses people when he sees them. I—I shouldn’t be surprised if he kissed me when he calls—we’re old friends, and people do that sort of thing in—in Australia.”
“Indeed, madam?” said Eleanor, her interest in the British Empire awakened.
“I’m afraid Mr. Selsbury wouldn’t understand,” Diana went on lightly. “Men are rather narrow. If you told him——”
“I should never dream of telling Mr. Selsbury, madam,” said Eleanor indignantly.
The girl came in dressed before she went.
“I beg your pardon, Miss Ford, but it has just occurred to me,” she said hesitantly. “If this foreign gentleman should kiss me, might I be bold enough to ask you not to mention it to Trenter?”
“You may rely on me, Eleanor,” said Diana firmly. “We women must stand together.”