"Perhaps I did," he murmured, his thin face aflame with colour. Betty's cheeks were pale, but her bosom heaved.
"If that be really true, I forgive," she whispered. "Only—prove it!"
She leaned towards him.
"Betty," he said hoarsely, "you know why I have stayed away from you." He looked so distressed that she feared the eyes of the others.
"You shall tell me that and more—to-morrow," she murmured, rising. "My cousin is crossing to us."
Young Kirtling wanted her to sing, but she refused.
"You always say 'No,'" he growled.
Pynsent joined them, followed by Archibald and the others. Lady Randolph seated herself beside Mark.
"We have not had a chat for an age," she began, and then went on abruptly: "How do you like my guests?"
Mark's eyes rested for an instant upon young Kirtling's handsome but rather saturnine features. Lady Randolph laughed and tapped Mark's hand with her fan.