He made a weak reply, to the effect that Mrs Ravenhill disliked the place.
“And you are bound to Mrs Ravenhill?” She hastened to apologise. “Of course you are. Forgive me.”
If this was offered as an opening, it failed. After a momentary pause, she said—
“You should have been with us last evening.”
“Us?”
“I had a companion; did you not see him? He came in with me.”
“Oh, the dog!”
“I don’t permit those contemptuous accents for my friends. He behaved like a true gentleman, and took me to the very place where I wanted to go. No one else offered.” If this was coquetry, it was accompanied by a frank smile at her own expense. Wareham stiffened, looked away, and broke out eagerly—
“How long shall you stay here?”
“Until Blanche is tired of it. I suppose till Monday. Are you not coming out to see what you came from England to see?”