Winston nodded. "He is a man, and I hope to convince him I have at least a right to toleration. That leaves only you. The rest don't count. They will come round by and by, you see."
The little forceful gesture, with which he concluded, pleased Maud Barrington. It was free from vanity, but conveyed an assurance that he knew his own value.
"No friendship that is lightly given is worth very much," she said. "I could decide better in another six months. Now it is perhaps fortunate that Colonel Barrington is waiting for us to make up his four at whist."
Winston allowed a faint gesture of dismay to escape him. "Must I play?"
"Yes," said the girl, smiling. "Whist is my uncle's hobby and he is enthusiastic over a clever game."
Winston groaned inwardly. "And I am a fool at whist."
"Then it was poker you played?" and again a faint trace of anger crept into the girl's eyes.
Winston shook his head. "No," he said. "I had few opportunities of indulging in expensive luxuries."
"I think we had better take our places," said Maud Barrington, with unveiled contempt.
Winston's forehead grew a trifle hot, and when he sat down Barrington glanced at him. "I should explain that we never allow stakes of any kind at Silverdale," he said. "Some of the lads sent out to me have been a trifle extravagant in the old country."