Stainton's disavowal of this apparent praise of his career was earnest, but not convincing.
"My life has seemed dull to me," he said, with a deadly glance at dear Mr. Holt, grinning in the background.
Holt tried to change the subject.
"At all events, this is a romantic episode for you, isn't it?" he asked.
"What do you mean?" snapped Stainton.
"Oh," Holt hurried to explain, "all this." He indicated the audience with the sweep of a plump hand.
"It is new," granted Stainton.
Holt edged his chair forward.
"Of course it is, and whatever's new's romantic. That's all romance is, isn't it, Miss Muriel?"
The girl had been listening to the music, her dark eyes, veiled by their long lashes, fixed on nothing.