"Asked Miss Lutwyche to marry you?" he said, in a preoccupied voice. "What on earth d'you do that for?"
Lance was silent for a moment, in something closely approaching stupefaction. Carol stared at Bert, in whose temples he saw a pulse visibly throbbing; no other sign of discomposure.
"Surely you've seen, Brooke, that I was hard hit in that direction?" said Lance presently, in a hurt tone.
"Saw you admired her, of course; but so do I," said Bert shortly. "Had no idea you had made up your mind."
"You must forgive our lack of warmth, Burmester," said Mayne. "It seems to me very sudden. But you know they say, 'Happy's the wooing that's not long a-doing.'"
"You don't know enough of each other," said Bert, still in that preoccupied tone, as though his mind was concentrated on the road before him.
"Well," said Lance, "but what were you saying last night in the smoking-room? One has got to take one's chances. It is true, and it was that that gave me courage to speak to-day."
Mayne saw the blood slowly overspread Bert's face. Lance, behind, could not see the sardonic grin which accompanied the manifestation.
"Well, it seems I've made myself responsible for a big order," remarked the chauffeur.
"Don't you think she's charming?" said Lance anxiously. "Charming in such a very unusual way? You know, lots of girls are pretty, but you feel you'd so soon get tired of 'em—run through 'em, so to speak, if Mayne will pardon the expression. But with her—" his voice broke and softened.