And now there occurred an episode which, however trivial then, Jerry Vane recalled with singular and very mingled emotions at a future time. As they came out of the conservatory, Colonel Rakes said, laughingly:
'Who is your friend, Vane, that is so strangely dressed—at least, not in evening costume?'
'Friend! What friend?—where, Colonel?'
'In the conservatory with you and Mrs. Beverley. Ah, Mrs. Beverley, too bad of you to appropriate our friend Vane when you know all the women are in love with him.'
'Colonel—I?'
'You, my dear girl—for I am old enough to call you so. But about your friend——'
'There was no one but ourselves in the conservatory,' said Vane.
'Oh pardon me, Vane, you three were close together.'
'Impossible!'
'As you rose to retire, I saw him slide, as it were, behind the shelves of flowers.'