"Certainly, don't let us keep you"—Mrs. Steele with her pleasant tact ignores the reference to me—"we will finish that charming chapter another time."
"Vhat means petta-vairsion?" says the Baron, looking undecided and not exactly delighted.
"Oh, it means favourite pastime," says Mrs. Steele.
"Oh! oh!" giggles Mrs. Ball. "Miss Blanche said the reading made her tired."
The Baron shuts up the book with a snap.
"Madame Rogair, I am at your sairvice!"
Without looking at me he raises his cap to Mrs. Steele and follows the "Church of England."
"Did you say the reading tired you?" asks Mrs. Steele.
"I believe I did, or something of the kind."
"Pity! Those people will make all they can out of it. The Baron told me at breakfast that Mrs. Rogers had asked him to join their party at the next port."