She swung quickly away from him—just out of reach.
"Even in a gypsy dress?" she asked.
"It was charming—but, I think I prefer this," and he nodded toward her gleaming shoulders.
She made a gesture of dissent, and they went back to the table. Lotzen drew a small chair close and sat staring at her. She studied her fan and waited.
Then he hooked his hands about his knee and leaned back.
"Do you know," he said, "it's a crying shame you are married to my dear cousin."
She looked him full in the face—and smiled.
"Why didn't you make me a widow, then, last night, when you had the chance?"
Lotzen shrugged his shoulders.
"The chance was all right, but the end was bad—though you didn't stay to see it."