"It is I who should have said that. But, in truth, I am not here by any wish of my own. The arrangement was made for me. I should have looked forward to it with more pleasure if I had known I was to meet you."
His face brightened. "It is my turn now to protest that it is I who should have said that! My hostess brought a party of us. I am helping to spend Christmas in the old style at the Towers. Where are you staying, or have you just come over for the function?"
Mona's heart sank. "No; I am visiting a cousin in the neighbourhood."
"Then I hope I may give myself the pleasure of calling. Have you had lunch?"
"Not yet."
"That is right. I am sure you can be spared for the next quarter of an hour."
Mona introduced him to Miss Bonthron as a "family friend," and then took his arm. Now that they had met, no ridiculous notions of propriety should prevent their seeing something of each other.
"Do you know Lady Kirkhope?" he asked, as he piloted the way through the hall.
"No. I had better tell you at once that I am not in the least likely to know her; I——"
"Lady Kirkhope," said the Sahib suddenly, stopping in front of a vivacious dame, "I am sure you will be glad to make the acquaintance of Miss Maclean. She is the daughter of Gordon Maclean, of whom we were talking last evening."