An hour later Lady Carr, a radiant vision of glinting hair and rustling skirts, on her way upstairs to dress for dinner, encountered her husband coming down. There was a half light. Sir John paused.
"Are you dining anywhere to-night, Daphne?" he said.
Daphne, her youthful shrewdness uneradicated by three years of adult society, replied guardedly—
"Are you trying to pull my leg? If I say 'No,' will you tell me that in that case I shall be very hungry by bedtime, or something? I suppose that old chestnut has just got round to your club. Have you been electing Noah an honorary member?"
"I was about to suggest," said Juggernaut perseveringly, "that we should go and dine at the Savoy together."
Daphne dimpled into a delighted smile.
"You dear! And we might go on somewhere afterwards. What would you like me to wear?" She preened herself in anticipation.
"Oh, anything," said Juggernaut absently. He was regarding his wife in an uncertain and embarrassed fashion.
Suddenly he drew a deep breath, and took a step down towards her. Then, with equal suddenness, he turned on his heel and retired upstairs rather precipitately in the direction of his dressing-room.
It was as well that Mrs Carfrae was not present.