The President was in his stateroom, refilling his cigar-case; and when he came out, Gertrude and Quatremain were alone in the large compartment.
"Where are the others?" he asked, pausing at her chair to light his cigar.
"They have gone up-town for a walk."
"H-m; and left you behind?"
"I didn't care to go." She saw that her opportunity was come, and gave the secretary a look which should have made him vanish at once. It did not, but her father cut the knot of that difficulty.
"It's a fine night; will you take a turn outside with me, while I smoke?" he said.
She acquiesced, and they went out to pace up and down the long platform. Two turns they made in silence while Gertrude sought vainly for words confessional, and at the third her father helped her without intending to.
"When is it to be?" he asked, abruptly.
She supposed he meant her marriage to Brockway, but she determined to make him speak plainly. So she said, "When is what to be?"
"Your marriage. Didn't you and Chester settle matters between you just before dinner?"