Paul flattered himself he had disguised the situation fairly well, and so he had from a man’s point of view, but not from a woman’s. Adele at once spoke up:
“Don’t you know that lady, Paul? Why didn’t you speak to her?”
Paul turned aside after his fashion, to avoid meeting Adele’s eyes, but promptly answered:
“Yes, slightly—very slightly.”
“Then why not speak to her? A gentleman never cuts a lady; never.”
“No, of course,” remarked Paul. “It’s the lady’s prerogative to do the snubbing; some women seem to think men enjoy being snubbed.”
“A well-bred woman always protects herself,” said Adele briskly. “If I had been in that dandy, and you had turned your back on me, that would not have been the end of it.”
Paul laughed, incredulous.
“No, Paul, I should not permit any acquaintance to treat me so cavalierly. I should demand an explanation.”
“My dear Adele, no one would ever treat you that way,” said Paul, rather surprised at her vehemence. “That sort of thing is not apt to happen to you.”