She laughed. “I hadn’t really thought very much about it.”
“I didn’t—I didn’t even know you were to be here. It’s an accident—a cruel one. I wouldn’t have had it happen for anything in the world.”
“Do you think that’s very polite?” she asked lightly.
“I mean—” he stammered, “that you’ll have to acquit me of any intention——”
“You mean,” she interrupted quickly, with widely opened eyes, “that you don’t want to go in to dinner with me? I think that can easily be arranged,” and she turned away from him toward her hostess. But he quickly interposed.
“Don’t, Miss Loring. Don’t do that. It isn’t necessary. I didn’t want your evening spoiled.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” she said, and the curl of her lip did not escape him. “That could hardly happen. But, if you have any doubts about it, perhaps——”
“It was of you I was thinking——”
“That’s very kind, I’m sure. I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t get on admirably. I’m not so difficult as you seem to suppose. Why should you spoil my evening, Mr. Gallatin?”