“Oh, it was told to you in strictest confidence, I presume?” she pouted.
“That which I’m told in confidence I make a point of forgetting I’ve ever heard,” he replied, fencing. “You surely will not blame me?”
“That’s doubtless right,” she admitted; “but let me say,” she added with meaning, “the waters of a certain Brooke may babble not only unceasingly, but also very falsely. Will you bear that in mind if you should remember a certain confidence?”
“You’re not angry with me?” he pleaded.
“Very little,” she answered; “in fact, so little that you may have the next waltz—if you care for it.”
A troubled look came into his face.
“I fear I can’t,” he replied with disappointment. “I’m on duty and must return at once.”
“On duty!” she exclaimed; “why, I understood Captain Swords was on guard to-night?”
“Yes,” he replied, “he is; but I’m on special duty—a scouting expedition, I might say.”
“A scouting expedition!” she repeated. “You speak as if it were a time of war. Tell me about it.”