Miss Armstrong ignored the impertinent parenthesis. "The critics abused me, but I expected that. They are men, and it was the men I exposed——"
Knowles, who was standing near, smiled, and blushed when he caught himself smiling. Wyndham laughed frankly at his confusion, and Audrey grew hot and cold by turns. What was the dreadful joke those two had about Miss Armstrong? She leaned back and looked up at Ted sweetly.
"Ted, I should like to introduce you to Mr. Knowles. He'll tell you all about that illustrated thing you wanted to get on to."
"I'm afraid," said Knowles, "that's not in my line: I don't know anything about any illustrated things."
"Well, never mind; I want you to know something about Mr. Haviland, anyhow."
This was just what Knowles wanted himself. He was deeply interested in the situation as far as he understood it, and he looked forward to its development. This little diversion created, Miss Armstrong continued with imperturbable calm. But Audrey, listening with one ear to Mr. Flaxman Reed, only heard the livelier parts of the dialogue.
"Life isn't all starched linen and eau-de-Cologne," said Miss Armstrong, sententiously.
"Did I ever say it was?" returned Wyndham.
"Virtually you do. You turn your back on average humanity."
"Pardon me, I do nothing of the kind. I use discrimination."