"She refused?"
"She wants me to think of something else."
Mrs. Paragon wondered a moment why an actress had refused. She also wondered whether the actress might not change her mind.
"I will come with you, Peter," she said decisively.
Peter flung himself with ardour into the work of finding a boat and getting together a crew. His condition was well known to Atterbury, who persuaded Haversham to help him in getting Peter equipped. They hunted out a skipper in Havre whose quality they knew, Atterbury going to interview and bring him over. It was decided they should sail immediately.
Vivette was soberly pleased at the success of her one good action.
"I've ordered Peter into the South Seas," she told Atterbury. "I think he'll be safe from the brown ladies."
It was arranged that Peter should give a farewell dinner. Atterbury insisted on the Savoy, and tactfully picked a day when the Wenderbys were to be out of town. He frankly discussed the position over Mrs. Paragon's dinner-table in Curzon Street. Vivette was there—accepted by Mrs. Paragon with large reserve.
"We want all Peter's friends," he said, "except those who cannot be present. It will be an advantage if Lady Mary is far away. She doesn't go at all well with Vivette."