“How did you happen to be alone?”
“Oh, Lord Waring was with me,” she said, suddenly, remembering her errant knight. “He went to get me some water. I wonder where he is.”
At this moment Lord Waring appeared at the door of the conservatory, glass in hand.
Margaret hurriedly made her apologies, explaining her having caught sight of Mr. Gaston unexpectedly, his recent return from New York, etc.
His lordship accepted her explanation in good part, and when Margaret had drunk the water rather eagerly he went off to return the glass, saying he would see her again.
He had scarcely disappeared when Gaston and Margaret, going out into the hall, saw Mrs. Vere and Alan Decourcy coming toward them.
Gaston suddenly stood still, detaining his companion by a slight pressure of the arm, and said, hurriedly:
“It is just possible that Mrs. Vere may ask you to join a theatre-party she is getting up for to-morrow evening. Forgive me if I take the liberty of suggesting that you shall decline if she should do so. Make an engagement to go with me instead, and just excuse yourself on the plea of a previous engagement. I hope you will pardon my venturing to advise you.”
“Certainly,” said Margaret; “but she will not ask me. I do not know her.”
Mrs. Vere, however, was coming straight toward them, and she now stopped in front of them, and giving Louis a tap with her fan, said: