Lucy did not reply, but she retained her own opinion. Overdone by-play, indeed! As if she had eyes for nothing more subtle than overdone by-play!
"In the meantime we will have our coffee," said Sir Douglas, "and then I will leave you at the concert, while I look up Monteith. I will come and fetch you at the end of the first part. Here, Maud, this table is disengaged."
The head-waiter came up immediately. Sir Douglas was one of those people who rarely have occasion to call a waiter. He gave the order, lighted a cigar very deliberately, and then turned abruptly to Lucy.
"Where is Mona?" he asked quietly.
Lucy almost gasped for breath.
"She was in London when I saw her last," she said, trying to gain time.
"At her old rooms?"
"No-o," faltered Lucy. "She was sharing my rooms then."
Then she gathered herself together. This would never do. Anything would be better than to suggest that there was a mystery in the matter.
"You see," she said, "I have been away ever since the beginning of term, and I have not heard from Mona for some time. I know she has taken all the classes she requires for her next examination, and reading can be done in one place as well as in another."