Muriel smiled.
"I'll try," she said.
"You won't be bored?"
"Oh, I'll be bored, of course, but I shall make the best of it."
"Permit me," interposed von Klausen, "to offer my services to Mrs. Stainton."
"Your services?" asked Muriel.
"To occupy you during your husband's absence. It is unendurable to think of you as wholly deserted—is it not, sir?"
The Austrian was addressing Jim. Stainton and his wife exchanged a quick glance. Jim was thinking of her expression of dislike for the Captain; Muriel was annoyed because her husband had neglected to read his letter before they joined von Klausen: she was in the mood for revenge.
"Oh, she'll make out," said Stainton. "Won't you, Muriel?"
"I don't know," replied Muriel. "It will be very dull."