She gave a little embarrassed laugh.
"Then explain me to myself!"
Again he seemed to study her; then he leant back in his chair with a decisive movement.
"No!" he said—"no! Not now! In a year—or two—or even three, perhaps. But not now."
She laughed again; and unconsciously a note of relief underran her laugh—a relief that, by a natural sequence of emotion, brought a fresh reaction to the coquetry of an hour ago.
With a quick turn of the head, she looked up at him. "But how shall I find you in a year—or two—or three?"
She was distinctly conscious that the words held a challenge; but the thought was fraught with the new intoxication that the evening had created.
With a swift movement, he bent closer to her.
"The world is very small, Mrs. Milbanke—when one desires to make it so."
In the half light of the balcony, his pale eyes seemed to search hers.