"Then you need say no more about it," said Genevieve with ironical graciousness. He shifted about in his chair, and she caught him deftly. "Must you be going?—really! Good-day."
He rose uncertainly to his feet, his handsome face flushed, and his full red lower lip twitching.
"I—I had not intended—" he began.
"Good-day!" said Mrs. Gantry with significant emphasis.
"So sorry you must rush off so soon, Laffie," mocked Dolores.
Social training has its value. Ashton pulled himself together, bowed gracefully, and started up the room with easy assurance.
As he neared the doorway, the footman appeared and announced with unction: "The Right Honorable, the Earl of Avondale."
Ashton stopped short, and when the Englishman entered, met him with an effusive greeting: "Mon Dieu! Such a fortunate chance, your lordship! So glad to meet you again,—and here, of all places! Don't forget to look me up at my clubs."
"Hearts are trumps, Laffie—not clubs," called Dolores, as Lord James passed him by with a vague nod.