Mrs. Huston looked at him with an expectant, half-inviting smile—a smile which Brenda loathed.
'For no particular reason,' continued the journalist with deliberate stolidity. 'I have fallen in with an interesting lot of men, and there is nothing to call me away.'
The young widow's expression of countenance altered from one of coquetry to well-simulated but nevertheless fictitious interest.
At this moment a waiter appeared with the information that madame was served.
'Colonel and Mrs. Martyn have unfortunately been called away this evening, so you will have to content yourself with me,' observed Mrs. Huston innocently, as she led the way down to the luxurious salle-à-manger.
'That,' answered Trist perfunctorily, 'will be no hardship.'
The tone in which he said this almost made it a question as to whether it would not have been politer to have kept silent.
During dinner they talked easily and pleasantly, as behoved two persons knowing the world and its ways. Occasionally they sparred in a subtle underhand way which no listener could have detected, Mrs. Huston attacking, Trist parrying as usual.
'There are,' said the lady when the waiter finally left them, 'cigarettes upstairs. The Colonel always smokes and has his coffee there. Will you do the same?'
Trist bowed silently as he rose from his seat.