Hugh was discreet. “No, not very. I play a small game. Just for chicken-feed.”
“Well, as long as you don’t lose, you’re lucky enough. I say, you can take me for tea to the Café de Paris, if you like.”
Hugh was flattered. They found a place in the restaurant from which they could watch the dancing. Mrs. Belmire looked rather stunning, and he was proud of being her escort. They listened to the confident music, ate chocolate cake and drank insipid tea.
“I bought two new hats to-day,” said Mrs. Belmire. “They cost a lot of money. I’m sure when I get them home I’ll hate them. I always like to have a pal with me, when I chose a new hat. I wish you’d been with me to help me choose.”
Hugh expressed a polite regret, with an uneasy feeling that his privilege in such an event might not be confined to choosing. Mrs. Belmire went on to talk about herself with an engaging frankness and almost childlike egoism. She elaborately displayed the confidence that is supposed to engender confidence; but Hugh was cautious.
“I suppose you’re going to the automobile show to-morrow,” she said. “You’re crazy about cars, aren’t you? I am. When my husband was alive, I used to drive our car myself. I drive a good deal here. My men friends are very nice to me, and take me for such jolly spins. You must take me some afternoon. By the way, where do you hang out now?”
“I’m living in the Condamine,” said Hugh vaguely.
“Are you? You’re lucky. I have had to give up my apartment. Lost so much playing at the club that I had to draw in my horns. I’m now staying at an Italian pension on the sea front,—Pizzicato’s. It’s very nice. The cooking’s Italian. To-day we had eels for lunch; I didn’t know they were eels till I had finished, or else I don’t believe I should have enjoyed them so much. You must lunch with me some day. I had General Jenkinson yesterday. You don’t know him, do you?”
“No, I don’t think I do,” said Hugh with a doubtful inflection.
“Delightful man. Oh, I say, my friend who looks so like you, Paul Vulning, is on his way here. You’ll probably meet him.”