Templeton started, and flashed a hurried glance at Xenie.
She was toying with her jeweled fan, and looking away as carelessly as if she had forgotten his existence.
He did not know that she was listening intently to every word.
He looked back carelessly at the nobleman.
"Yes, she was rescued with me. We clung to the spar together. I would have lost my own life rather than that frail and helpless girl should have perished!"
"She returned with you, then?" said Lord Dudley.
"Yes, she returned in my care. She was a helpless young widow," said Howard, evasively. "She lost all her friends in Europe."
Then other friends claimed him, and he turned away.
"So Mr. Templeton is an old acquaintance of yours, Mrs. St. John?"