‘Really? I think that is very unnatural.’
‘Oh! so unnatural! Life in London is so dreadfully conventional and superficial. Don’t you think so?’
‘I dare say; but I have never been in London.’
‘Have you, Mr. Semple?’ she asked of the gentleman on her left.
‘No, I haven’t,’ he answered shortly.
He did not approve of Miss Mowbray paying any attention to Alec, regarding her as for the time being his property. On this Laura left off talking to Alec, and devoted herself to the amusement of Mr. Semple.
Soon, however, she took advantage of his attention being claimed by the lady on his left, to turn again with a smile to Alec.
‘Mr. Semple tells me you are at College. My uncle is a professor there, but he has hardly any students, because history is not a compulsory subject in the examinations. How do you like being at College?’
Alec was grateful for her interest in him, and gave her his impressions of College life. Then she turned once more to her legitimate entertainer, who was by that time at liberty.
Alec had already had far more intercourse with his lovely neighbour than he had dared to hope for; but the dinner was a long one; and as Mr. Semple’s left-hand neighbour happened to be a maiden aunt with money, she was able to compel his attention once more before the close of the meal.