The interest which they displayed in the two women immediately attracted her; and once more she turned to the little colonel.
"The two Japanese now, which of the ladies attracts them—the English or the French?"
The usually rosy face of Stelzner was rather gray as he replied, and the chuckle so habitual to him had given place to a wan smile.
"The Japanese?" said he. "Oh, yes, those two up there, of course. I have found," with the air of a man speaking more or less at random, "that the Occidental types of women interest Orientals. Oh, yes; it is much so. I have known Japanese to admire—— Ah, Hoffer, how do you do?"
The heavy man, accompanied by Von Steinmetz, was moving by, and Stelzner grasped at their passing as a shipwrecked seaman might grasp at a spar. Reluctantly, so it seemed, the two men paused; and the beautiful Mrs. Pendleton smiled as she bent her head to the salutation of Von Steinmetz.
"Your wife," she said, "is lovely to-night. We have just been admiring her."
The husband seemed none too pleased at this; he fingered his short, light-colored beard and his small blue eyes went to the lady in question.
"It occurred to me also," he said, "that she looked well. But then," and he smiled a little, "I think she usually looks so."
"You are a good husband," and Mrs. Pendleton laughed lightly. "Madame should be proud of you. But," and she arched her brows in wonder, "what an exceedingly interesting girl Miss Corbin must be. See how she holds madame's attention! Even the slightest gesture seems loaded with meaning."