Remembering this, let us accompany Captain O’Hagan to Lady Rundel’s.
He was admitted. Following upon such an affair as that of the previous evening, it is more than doubtful if another had enjoyed the privilege of admission. But Bernard O’Hagan is unused to refusals.
Lady Rundel received him with studied coldness. He bent low over her hand in his remote, courtly fashion.
“I have an explanation to offer of my conduct of last night,” he explained blandly.
“I am curious to hear it!”
“That I do not doubt, Lady Rundel; for you must have perceived that I strongly disapproved of the man Haverley!”
She was caressing a miniature dog, but at that she glanced up, flushing.
“It is a pity,” she began——
“It is!” agreed O’Hagan, toying with his monocle. “It is indeed a thousand pities, for you are such a charmingly pretty woman!”
“Captain O’Hagan! I fail to understand you!” But her eyes were less angry than her tones. “You presume too far, even for so old a friend, when you attempt to control my choice of acquaintances!”