"That's all right." McTaggart laughed—"You're supping with me—you seem to forget that!"
"Greedy brute!" Thesiger wrote it down with ostentatious care. "I'll come and look for you. In the supper-room!"
The music ceased and a gay crowd passed through the narrow opening dividing the trio.
"Upstairs, Cydonia." McTaggart lowered his voice—"and I'm not going to be cheated—even by Archie. Here—I'll lead the way——" he forged ahead, passing the couples preceding them. They reached the second landing, then up the third flight. Here seats were arranged in isolated pairs.
"Where does that lead to?" McTaggart, as he spoke, pointed to a narrow passage blocked by palms.
"The servants' staircase." Cydonia paused, but her companion deliberately drew the plants aside, holding back the leaves for her to pass.
"Come along, quick!" She gave him a glance, then obeyed with a sudden giggle.
"I say—this is fine!" He continued to explore, mounting the twisted dingy stairs.
"Let's go up and sit on the top." A faint glimmering light showed him the way. "Now—here we are—all to ourselves!"
Cydonia, a little scared by her own sense of daring, settled herself, her dress drawn about her, her little feet in their silver shoes shimmering beyond the dead-white brocade.