"I met some fellows just now that I know," he said, as they sat down to table. "I'll introduce you later. They're stopping here."
17 She flushed sensitively. "Did you? Did they know you were married?" she asked.
"I told them."
"Were they very surprised?"
"Well, they were—rather," he admitted, and frowned, recalling the very downright criticism which he had received from at least one of them.
At dinner Marie obediently drank one glass of champagne, and got a headache. She was rather glad to be left to herself for a little afterwards in the coolness of the lounge outside, while Chris went in search of his friends. She chose a chair that was not prominent, and sat down with closed eyes.
She had never stayed in a hotel before, and the noise and bustle of it all rather confused her. She was wondering how she would ever find her way through all the corridors to her room again, when she caught the mention of her husband's name.
It was spoken in a man's voice and spoken with a little laugh that sounded rather contemptuous, she thought.
She sat up instantly, headache forgotten. Probably this was one of the friends of whom Chris had spoken to her before dinner. She leaned a little forward, trying to see the speaker, but a group of ornamental palms and flowers successfully obscured him.
The man, whoever he was, was talking to another, for presently Marie heard a laugh and a second voice say: "Chris Lawless! Oh, yes, I know him! Is he really married?"