"It seems to me six of one and half a dozen of the other, as far as that goes," said Otterburn shrewdly.
Eustace did not reply, but walked up to his cousin and the lady.
"I'm afraid we must go, Mrs. Veilsturm," he said, smiling at Cleopatra.
"Oh, it's early yet," remarked Cleopatra languidly. "Must you go, Sir Guy?"
"I suppose so," answered Errington, looking at his watch. "Time, tide and dinner wait for no man. It's past six."
"So like a man," laughed Cleopatra, "thinking of his dinner before everything else."
"No, really," responded Errington, colouring at this rude remark, "but I've got an engagement, and I always like to be punctual."
"In that case don't forget my 'At Home' next week," said the lady, with a bewitching glance.
"Oh, no, I won't forget that," replied Errington coolly, much more coolly than Cleopatra liked, but she suppressed her anger at his nonchalance, and turned to Eustace.
"Goodbye, Mr. Gartney, so good of you to have come to-day. Mr. Maclean, I've no doubt I'll see you to-night at Lady Kerstoke's dance. Sir Guy, I hope you will find your way here again. Goodbye, all of you," and then her attention was claimed by another batch of departing guests, while the three gentlemen went downstairs.