"Oh - ! I should be very happy: but am I not trespassing on your time?"
"How should you be? Perhaps your aunt may be waiting for you in the ballroom."
No trace, however, of Mrs Fisher was to be found there, nor was she discovered in the corridor leading to the second supper-room.
"I am afraid there is nothing for it but for you to accept me in place of your other supper partner," said the Colonel. "Your aunt must have gone in already, and from what I have seen of the crowd there you will be lucky indeed if you contrive to find her. Shall we go in?"
She looked doubtfully at him. "But are you sure you are not expected in the other room? I thought - someone told me - that nearly all the staff officers were invited, and you are one, are you not?"
"I am, but no one will care a button whether I sup in the other room or not, I assure you," replied the Colonel. "It will be very dull, if I know these staff functions."
"Will it?"
"Oh, I give you my word! It will last an interminable time, and a great many people will made interminable speeches. I should infinitely prefer to sup with you."
Miss Devenish smiled. "I shall be very happy to go with you," she said. "Indeed, I think I should feel wretchedly lost by myself. There are so many people!"
They fell in with the slow-moving stream of guests, and presently found themselves in a large, brilliantly-lit room set out with any number of tables, and already bewilderingly full of people. As they paused within the room, looking about them for a couple of vacant places, Miss Devenish exclaimed: "Oh, there she is!" and started towards a table near the door, at which was seated a stout, good-humoured-looking lady in purple sarsnet and a turban.