"Yes—for a few weeks, I suppose! By the way, can't you get out of that? I am sure we want you a great deal more than she does."
"Oh no," said Mona hastily. "I can't get out of that even if I wished to."
"If you were cut out for a common drudge, I should not mind," he went on; "but with your gifts—— Do you know, there is nothing to hinder your being a great social success?"
"Oh, indeed there is!" exclaimed Mona. "You have made me very happy, and I have shown my gratitude by forgetting my own existence, and talking a great deal too much. But when my friends want to show me off, and beg me to talk—with the best will in the world, I seem unable to utter a word."
"No wonder, when you live the life of a hermit. But if you gave your mind to it——"
Mona opened her lips to speak, and then thought better of it. There was no need to say that, at the best, social success seemed a poor thing to give one's mind to; attractive enough, no doubt, so long as it was unattained; but when attained, as the sole result of years of effort, nothing but Dead Sea fruit.
Sir Douglas got up and offered her his arm without speaking. They walked up and down the deck together.
"Where are your cigars?" she said. "I am sure you want one."
"I don't," he said irritably. "I want you." But he allowed her to get one out of his case for him nevertheless.
"And now, Mona," he said more amiably, "I want you to tell me all about your money affairs—what you have got, how it is invested, and who looks after it for you."