"No. Marie's father adopted me."
Chris rose to his feet and yawned. He knew that he was being pumped.
"Shall we play another round?" he asked.
"Of course." She was a little chagrined. She had imagined that their friendship was on too secure a basis to permit of such a decided snubbing. She played badly, as she always did when she was annoyed, and Chris won easily.
"You threw that away deliberately," he challenged her.
She laughed. "Did I? Perhaps I did. You annoyed me."
"In what way?"
"I thought we were friends, and when I ventured to be interested in your marriage you snubbed me abominably."
Her eyes were plaintive as they met his, and, manlike, Chris felt slightly flattered.
Mrs. Heriot was a much-sought-after woman and he knew that she had 61 always shown a distinct preference for his society.