Vane would gladly have avoided him and quitted the rhododendron walk, but to do so might be to lose the last chance of seeing whether Ida kept her appointment; while, if she came, it might indicate that one had been made.
He could but hope that the tall guardsman would pass and leave him; but it was not to be so. He had partaken freely of wine, and he was disposed to be jocular, confidential, and particularly friendly, so he passed his arm through Vane's, saying:
'As I passed into the garden a few minutes ago, just to enjoy a soothing weed, I made the funniest discovery in the world—by Jove I did!'
'You discovered what?' asked Vane, intensely annoyed.
'Well—ah—that, with all her grief for our friend Beverley, I don't think the fair Ida is quite beyond being consoled. Do you take?'
'Not in the least,' was the curt response.
'She has an admirer.'
'Many, I should think,' replied Jerry, becoming more and more amazed and nettled by the tone and laughter of the guardsman.
'But she has one in particular, I tell you.'
'Who do you mean?' asked Vane, colouring, as he thought the reference was to himself.