"Hm--you seemed very sure just now that he wasn't going to marry Miss Moffatt."
"Sure? I'm not sure of anything," said the young man, slowly.
"Well, what I should like to know," said Sir Wilfrid, cradling his teacup in both hands, "is, what particular interest has Mademoiselle Julie in that young soldier?"
Delafield looked into the fire.
"Has she any?"
"She seems to be moving heaven and earth to get him what he wants. By-the-way, what does he want?"
"He wants the special mission to Mokembe, as I understand," said Delafield, after a moment. "But several other people want it too."
"Indeed!" Sir Wilfrid nodded reflectively. "So there is to be one! Well, it's about time. The travellers of the other European firms have been going it lately in that quarter. Jacob, your mademoiselle also is a bit of an intriguer!"
Delafield made a restless movement. "Why do you say that?"
"Well, to say the least of it, frankness is not one of her characteristics. I tried to question her about this man. I had seen them together in the Park, talking as intimates. So, when our conversation had reached a friendly stage, I threw out a feeler or two, just to satisfy myself about her. But--"