"I am interested," said Jack. Then his eyes lighted. "Are you serious about that dance?"
She returned his gaze, humorously defiant.
"I don't care, if you don't," he added; "I dare you."
"They say naval officers are divine dancers," she replied as though to herself. "You may have the next dance if—if you can find me out here—and—and take me away from His Highness."
Before he could reply she had smiled and nodded and rejoined Koltsoff, who was waiting, not without impatience, at the foot of the steps. He took her arm and led the way toward a small promontory overlooking the ocean. His demeanor was silent, romantic. But somehow Anne was neither interested nor thrilled. As they stopped at the edge of the cliff, she released her arm which his fingers had tightly pressed. He took a cigarette from his case and then impatiently tossed it away.
"I spoke to your father this afternoon," he said, "as to our understanding."
"Our understanding!"
"About the dowry. He declined to yield to the European custom."
"How like father! Of course that changes your attitude toward me." Her voice was cool and unwavering.
He raised his hands as though despairing.