“Eustace can carry a good deal, I fancy. Don’t worry.”
“I’ve no intention of worrying, but I suppose you know we are to be married tonight, and I don’t care to see him held up by two of his friends, equally lit—as, no doubt, has happened often enough in this house.”
“Are you to be married tonight? Elsie hadn’t told me.” He was staring at her with an expression that made her change her position suddenly and the curious sensation in her nerve-centers gave her the uncomfortable impression that some other Gita Carteret, who had worn this gown, perhaps—heaved suddenly in her long sleep.
“I was sure she had told you——”
“I only had a moment with Elsie tonight. She was at home when I arrived, to make sure I’d wear this costume; and as I gave her some trouble I suppose she forgot everything else.”
“But Eustace told me he not only intended to ask you to be his best man but to walk down the stair with me——”
“I haven’t seen Eustace for a month. If he’s written I’ve missed the letter——”
“But you will, won’t you?”
“I shall be highly honored.” He shook his shoulders impatiently. “What time is the ceremony?”
“At midnight. Then we go in to supper, and after that we have the Christmas tree. Then we’ll dance till morning, when Eustace’s friends will probably carry him home——Oh! How stupid of me! I should have asked him to stay here, but we’ve been so rushed.”