"Quite a romantic friendship?"
Roy nodded. He did not choose to discuss his feeling for Lance with this cool, compelling young woman. Yet her very coolness goaded him to add: "I suppose men see more clearly than women that—he's one in a thousand."
"I'm—not so sure——"
"Yet you snub him as if he was a tin-pot 'sub.'"
His resentment would out; but the smile in her eyes disarmed him.
"Was it as bad as that? What a pair you are! Don't worry. We know each other's little ways by now."
It was scarcely convincing; but Lance would not thank him for interfering; and the band had struck up. No sign of a partner. It seemed the luck was 'in'.
"Did Desmond give you my message?" he asked.
"No—what?"
"Only—that I hoped you'd be magnanimous.... Is there a chance——?"