Max's mouth went down ironically. "Certainly if you feel so disposed," he said.
Hunt-Goring laughed easily. "You young fellows have all the luck," he said. "When do you expect to be married?"
"On Midsummer Day," said Max.
"Really!" Hunt-Goring's laugh was silken in its softness. "Your plans are all cut and dried then. Yet, you know, 'there's many a slip,' etc."
"Not under my management," said Max.
He looked hard and straight into the other man's eyes, and turned aside.
Nick had already joined his hostess, and was making gay conversation about nothing in particular.
Noel came in late, acknowledged everyone with a deep salaam, and attached himself instantly to Olga.
With relief she found that he was to take her in to dinner. He was in a mood of charming inconsequence, and under his easy guidance she gradually recovered from the shock of her enemy's appearance on the scene.
"I hear on the best authority that General Bassett is expected in a fortnight," he told her. "We are going to treat him royally. You ladies will have to work hard."