'Am I to congratulate you, Lorna?' I said. 'Forgive me, I am taking you at your word.'
She gave me a quick look, which I could not understand, and then replied,
'I start nursing again next week.'
'You know what I mean,' I persisted, and I laughed as I spoke.
'Springfield looks a very happy man.'
'Don't speak that way.' she replied; 'at least not yet.'
'Why?' I asked; and then, overstepping the bounds of good taste, I went on, 'Edgecumbe told me all about it.'
'Did he? I am so sorry. But—but—come and see us, won't you? We are staying at the Carlton. We shall be there three days more. I want to talk to you. Good night,' and she rushed away.
When I returned to the table, I found that the waiter had replenished the liqueur glasses, and I saw, not only by the empty champagne bottle, but by Springfield's eyes, that his libations had been liberal.
'By the way, Luscombe,' he said, 'do you know where Edgecumbe is? Has he returned to duty?'
Before I could reply, Sir Thomas, fortunately I thought, burst in with another question, 'What do you really make of that fellow Edgecumbe?'
'One of the bravest, finest, and most conscientious men I ever met,' I replied.