“Oh, and that makes a difference?”
“Surely!”
“You have observed it?”
Bellairs hesitated. He scarcely knew whether to reply in the affirmative or the negative. He resolved upon a compromise.
“There has hardly been time yet,” he said; “naturally, I expect that Betty will place me before every one else.”
Mdlle. Leroux's eyes flashed under the hanging lamp.
“What we expect is not always what we get,” she said significantly.
Bellairs flushed. He understood that she was alluding to his treatment of her, but he preferred to ignore it, and went on:—
“Is Betty ill to-night?”
“Not at all.”