"Well? You have come! It is good of you, upon my honour. I have not waited quite two hours--yet."
"I am so sorry."
She put her arms about his neck, her soft cheek against his rough one. He disengaged himself from her embrace.
"Permit me! I am not in the vein!"
"Father, you see that Mr Davison is here. Mr Davison, my father is justly angry with me. I have kept him waiting two hours for his écarté."
Mr Davison advanced to the old gentleman with outstretched hand.
"Let me pay forfeit in Mdlle. de Fontanes' stead: play with me."
The old gentleman touched the extended palm with the end of his frigid fingers. He looked the speaker up and down.
"Do you play écarté?"
"I ought to; I have played it my whole life long."