That was all she actually said, but, with her eyes, in the manner known only to women who are sure they are not in love, she commanded him to follow her.
"You see him all the time and we don't get a chance very often," protested a vulgar little thing whose father was a financial pirate of the first rank and had given her all the predatory instincts. "Go on, H. R.! Tell us some more. Do!"
Grace's eyes grew very bright and hard, and her cheeks flushed.
"I have news for you," she said to H. R., calmly ignoring the others.
"I am sorry, children," said H. R., regretfully. "Business before pleasure."
"Your business," persisted the vulgar little thing, "is to obey!"
"Hence my exit," he said, and followed Grace.
She led the way to the conservatory. She was conscious of her own displeasure. This enabled her to dispense with the necessity of finding reasons for her own feelings. She halted beside an elaborately carved marble seat, built for two, and motioned for him to sit down. He looked at her. She then said:
"Sit down!"
He obeyed. Then she sat beside him. The seat was skilfully screened by palms and ferns.