"He hasn't been near me since the day you saw him," she answered. "That is the principal reason why I've called now. Sir Ross hasn't been to see me, nor have you, and I'm being bored to death. Why have you stopped away, Melville?"
"I've had some business to attend to," he said, "and it didn't turn up trumps. And now I'm a sick man—broke, and generally down on my luck."
"All the more reason for you to avoid your own company," she retorted. "Moping's no use to anybody. Come and dine with me to-night?"
"Delighted," said Melville, but without enthusiasm.
"I'll get a box somewhere, and we'll pretend we're going the pace. My show, you know," she added, thinking that the expense might be inconvenient to him.
Melville liked the little touch of camaraderie.
"You're a good sort, Lavender," he said approvingly. "What a pity you and Sir Geoffrey couldn't run together in double harness!"
A slight frown crossed her brow.
"If you mourn over the pity of everything you'll die of compassion," she remarked, "and that's a silly sort of end for any man to come to. How is Sir Geoffrey? Have you seen him lately?"
"No," said Melville, "but I am going to Fairbridge to-morrow."