Strangely enough, the subject of the Atlantic race was under discussion at another table. It came à propos of the postponed concert.
"It would have been jolly inconvenient if this concert had occurred next week," said the Duke.
"Why?" she looked at him over her tiny fan.
"Because next week—next Wednesday as ever is, I must leave you," he said tragically.
She made no disguise of her disappointment.
"Bear up," he encouraged her, "I shall be away a fortnight."
"To America?"
A shadow of alarm fell on her face.
"Thinking of Bill Slewer?" he bantered, "Big Bad Bill?"
"Yes," she confessed.