'I don't think it matters much, Mrs. Fortescue; there is no reason in the world why they should not meet, and they might just as well do so here as in London.'
'Do you think there is any chance of its coming on again?' the lady asked.
'Not the slightest in the world,' he replied curtly; then he rose from his seat and went across to the little group, who were directly afterwards joined by Ada Fortescue and her father.
As the party stood laughing and chatting together, no one unacquainted with the circumstances would have guessed that the meeting had been so embarrassing to two of the number.
'Are you wandering about by yourself, Halliburn, or are you with a party?' Mr. Hawtrey asked.
'Ulleswater and Dick Trafford are with me,' he replied. 'I suppose you have been all travelling together.'
'Yes, we first met at Lucerne; then we came on, and the Fortescues joined us at Martigny. Captain Armstrong and Fitzwarren were there too, so it made a pleasant party. Fitzwarren left us this morning; he was off home again.'
At dinner the two parties were at opposite ends of the long table.
'Deuced awkward for you, Halliburn,' Lord Ulleswater said.
'Oh, I don't know. I don't mind if she doesn't.'