He watched her closely. "A very old friend, Mr. Lassett, isn't he?"
"I have known him all my life."
"Ah, that is the sure way of knowing him better. Did I hear he was a cricketer? I thought he said something of the kind."
"He is one of the greatest cricketers England has had. Anything else?"
"Why, no; well, I congratulate you. You'll be married, I suppose, before we meet again."
She was surprised at this.
"Are you not coming to see Maryska?"
"When she asks for me, yes; but I know the sex. She'll have forgotten my name in a month's time; it is the privilege of women."
"And in that case——"
"Oh," he said, "I shall be in America building my temple. It's steel mostly, and butters a good deal of humanity's bread."