“And not romantic—do you mean?” she said, not without irony.
“They can be romantic, but they save themselves from disaster with their practical sense. I hope I put it right.”
She smiled at him.
“You speak very good English. What do you think of this?”
“But I have seen her!” he said.
They had come to the easel on which was the half-finished portrait of Cora, staring across her empty glass.
“She goes to the Cafe Royal.”
He looked again at Miss Van Tuyn.
“Do you ever go there?” he asked gravely.
“No, never,” she said with calm simplicity, returning his gaze.