She held out her hand to Mr. Townsend.
"Reggie!"
Mr. Townsend made no attempt to touch the outstretched hand. He merely bowed.
"Miss Jardine!"
Miss Jardine was not at all disconcerted. She laughed.
"So it's that way!" She assumed an air of mock dignity, which became her very well. "Mr. Townsend, may I offer you a chair?"
"With your permission I will stand."
Mr. Townsend spoke with an air of decorous propriety which approached the severe. The lady did not fall into his mood at all. She looked up at him with her sunny eyes.
"Stand! Why stand?"
Mr. Townsend returned the young lady's smiling glance, without evincing any inclination to smile in return.