"How singularly unobservant I am! I have never noticed it. Wait one moment. I 'll come and help you."
This would never do. "No, thank you," cried Marjolaine, "I am sure your wife wants you." And she added, as a parting shot, "She sees so little of you!"
Then taking her courage in both hands she hurried into the Gazebo, where she and Jack stood, pictures of horror, silently awaiting Mr. Brooke-Hoskyn's next move.
The latter leant far out of his window vainly endeavouring to peer round the corner. "Curious, very curious," he muttered.
"Did you hear him?" asked Marjory, in a tragic whisper.
"If he comes here I 'll punch his head," growled Jack.
"Be quiet!"—And again they both listened.
But Mr. Brooke-Hoskyn's attention was engaged by Selina, and it was clear from his remarks that the dear lady was not in her pleasantest humour. "No, my dear, of course I did n't mean to go.—Do you think her an ugly little thing?—Matter of taste.—Oh, come! Not jealous, my own one?—Hold your hand?—Oh, certainly, if you wish it!" And down came the window with a crash and what sounded very like a fine Saxon monosyllable.
Marjolaine and Jack, hearing the window close, uttered a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness!" cried Marjolaine; and then, being a daughter of Eve, "Now you see what you 've done!"