"There's a little stutterer down at the hotel who claims to be an
English lord."
"Bah, Strahan! I hope your sword is sharper than your satire. I've had enough of English lords for the present."
"Yes, Merwyn, you appear to have had enough of most things,—perhaps too much. If your countrymen are uninteresting, you may possibly wish to meet some of your countrywomen. I've been abroad enough to know that you have never found their superiors."
"Well, that depends upon who my countrywoman is. I should prefer to see her before I intrude—"
"Risk being bored, you mean."
"As you please. Fie, Strahan! you are not cultivating a soldier's penchant for women?"
"It hasn't needed any cultivating. I have my opinion of a man who does not admire a fine woman."
"So have I, only each and all must define the adjective for themselves."
"It has been defined for me. Well, my time is up. We'll be two friendly neutral powers, and, having marked out our positions, can maintain our frontiers with diplomatic ease. Good-morning."
Merwyn laughingly accompanied his guest to the door, but on the piazza, they met Mrs. Merwyn, who involuntarily frowned as she saw Strahan's uniform, then with quiet elegance she greeted the young man. But he had seen her expression, and was somewhat formal.