Madame Lachesnais interposed quickly: this was putting her poor child's courage to too severe a test. "I am sure she would prefer not to sing this evening."
But Marjolaine exclaimed merrily, "Oh, yes, Maman, if they would like it!"
Madame could only admire her indomitable pluck. "Brave child!" she murmured.
"Sing that pretty little thing about the blue ribbon," cried the Admiral, and hummed the first bar.
"Ha!" mockingly cried Mr. Brooke-Hoskyn.
The Admiral faced him angrily: "Well, sir?"
Mr. Brooke-Hoskyn eyed him calmly through his quizzing glass, and said coldly, "What, sir?"
Madame interposed with her most amiable smile. "Sir Peter, Mrs. Poskett's cup is empty."
"Is it?" growled Sir Peter, without moving. But Madame's hand was stretched out to receive it, and he had to yield.
"Oh hang!—Your cup, Ma'am." He almost snatched it from her.