His smile was not pleasant. He had a florid face, with bad lines round the eyes and a tyrannous mouth. His physical make had been magnificent, but reckless living had brought on the penalties of gout before their time.
Lucy was intimidated by the mixture of familiarity and patronage in the tone.
'Oh, yes,' she said, hurriedly; 'we get all the best companies from the London theatres, and there are very good concerts.'
'And that kind of thing amuses you?' said the Colonel, still examining her with the same cool, fixed glance.
'I like music very much,' stammered Lucy, and then fell silent.
'Do you know all these people here?'
'Oh, dear, no!' she cried, feeling the very question malevolent. 'I don't know any of them. My husband wishes to lead a very retired life,' she added, bridling a little, by way of undoing the effect of her admissions.
'And you don't wish it?'
The disagreeable eyes smiled again.
'Oh! I don't know,' said Lucy.