Katinka laughed meaningly, and glanced slyly at Lady Richardson. "I see; you prefer an autumn month--highly coloured and mature."
This was too symbolic for Lake, but some intuition of its meaning caused him to flush to the roots of his fair hair, and verbally deny comprehension. "I do not understand."
"No gallant man would," she retorted, and, further enlightened, the captain's pink became a violent crimson, to the concern of its cause.
"How red you are, Reggy!" cried Lady Richardson. "I hope it isn't scarlet fever."
"I guess you suffer from that," murmured Mamie, posing her lorgnette.
"Plaît-il?" inquired the bewildered vicomte; but received no reply. Miss Mulrady's knowledge of French was too limited to permit of pathological discussions.
"Russian tea," explained Lake, cooling to his ordinary sun-burn.
"Why not one word--indigestion?"
"Indigestion," repeated the soldier, with dry obedience.
"You should really try Billy's new medicine; it has made him very fit. By the way, where is my darling?"