Hunt-Goring however was plainly in a genial mood. He paused to bestow his smiling scrutiny upon the young officer. "Let me see! Surely we have met before?"
"We have," said Noel bluntly.
"I fear the occasion has slipped my memory," said Hunt-Goring.
A wiser man would have passed on. But Noel had not yet attained to years of discretion. He stood his ground and explained.
"We met at dinner here. Captain and Miss Ratcliffe were here too—and my brother."
"Oh, ah! I remember now. Quite an amusing evening, was it not?" Hunt-Goring laughed gently. "You were rather vexed with me for chaffing her about her engagement. I have always thought a little chaff was legitimate on such occasions."
"When it isn't objectionable," said Noel gruffly.
Hunt-Goring laughed again. "Do you know why the engagement was broken off?"
Noel drew himself up sharply. "That, sir, is neither your affair nor mine."
Hunt-Goring took out his cigarette-case. "Well, it was mine in a way," he observed complacently. "I pulled the strings, you know."