The examination seemed to have fallen a little from its strained note.
"That is so," Peggy replied, slightly relieved.
"Did Mr. Collingwood seem much distressed at the turn of events?" asked Sir Robert.
And then—it might have been rising hysteria, or it might have been a totally innocent misapprehension of what was going on, but Peggy laughed.
Her laugh went rippling out into the court.
"He did not seem inconsolable," she said.
Her laughter was echoed by that of every one in the court; even Sir Robert's red and genial face relaxed into a smile.
"And I daresay," he said in quite a kindly voice,—"I daresay you would as soon be stranded in Paris with Mr. Collingwood as with any one?"
"Oh, much sooner," Peggy said. "He is a very charming companion."
"Perhaps," Sir Robert Fyffe answered, "I may allow myself to say the same of his companion?"