"Stop and we'll try another game when the ladies have gone," suggested Hay, his impassive face lighting up, "then Beecot—"
"I must go," said the young gentleman, who did not wish to be called upon as a witness in a possible card scandal.
"And I'll go too," said Lord George. "Whenever I play with you, Hay, I always seem to lose."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Grexon, fiercely.
"Oh, he doesn't mean anything," said Miss Qian, sweetly, and putting her cloak round her. "Mr. Beecot, just take me to my cab."
"I'll take you to your carriage," said Hay, offering an arm to Mrs. Krill, which she accepted graciously.
Lord George followed, grumbling, with the ever-smiling Maud. Miss Qian skipped into a hansom, and offered Paul a drive back to town which he refused. As the cab was driving off she bent down and whispered, "Be careful," with a side-glance at Hay.
Paul laughed. Everyone seemed to doubt Hay. But that gentleman handed Mrs. Krill and her daughter into their carriage, and looked towards Lord George. "You don't want your revenge to-night?" he asked.
"No, confound you!" said the young man, sulkily.
"In that case I'll drive into Kensington with Mrs. Krill, and borrow her carriage for a trip to Piccadilly. Good-night, Sandal. Good-night, Beecot."