Gilbert made a business of looking at his watch and starting with alarm. “By jove, I didn’t know it was so late. I must just swallow my coffee and run. May I leave the mater with you to finish her coffee at her leisure?”
Colin caught the appeal in Gilbert’s eyes and guessed the cause.
“Certainly, if Lady Currey will accept me as a poor substitute for you.”
Lady Currey smiled a gracious assent. “I hope your dear mother is better, Mr. Paton?”
“Yes, thank you.... Busy as usual, Gilbert? I hear the proverbial busy bee is quite out of it.”
“Well, I am tearingly busy. Don’t get a minute to myself.”
Paton slipped into his chair. “And yet you’ve found time to get engaged, I hear? I wrote my congratulation this morning.”
“Thanks, old chap. Oh! getting engaged doesn’t take very long.” Gilbert laughed pleasantly and displayed his firm white teeth.
“Doesn’t it?” returned Paton, smiling. “I think it would take me no end of a time. But there, we shall soon be born in the morning, married at midday, and buried in the evening!” He saw Lady Currey looking at him rather doubtfully. “A man like your son, Lady Currey, takes a woman and the world by storm. Veni, vidi, vici is not for me. Women have to know me quite a long time before they remember me.”
“I am sure you have a great many friends,” she said encouragingly.