"Should you mind telling me something else?" said Jimmy.
"Anything—anything!"
"Did the—the auspicious event take place before or since that afternoon we first met in Grandison Square?"
"A few days before."
"I am sorry you kept me in the dark," was the answer.
"So am I," she said.
He took one hand out of his pocket and ran his fingers through his hair.
"You see," he remarked, "I have known the colonel nearly my whole life.
Well, good-bye," he added, holding out his hand.
"Oh—good-bye," said Bridget, and Jimmy was on his way down-stairs the next moment, out of the house and losing no time in finding his way back to Upper Grosvenor Street. Going at once to the smoking-room, he sat down, and leaning forward, covered his face with his hands. In this dejected attitude Sybil found him a few minutes later. As he had obviously not observed her entrance, she went to his side, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"My dearest Jimmy," she explained, "whatever is the matter?"