"Perhaps, Ferdinand, it was because you did not use your eyes. That is not ordinarily a fault of yours."
"I never think of my eyes when yours are present," said he, lazily.
"Oh, don't you?" laughed Mrs. Lancaster. "What were you doing a little while ago in the conservatory--with--?"
"Nothing. I have not been in the conservatory this evening. You have paid some one else a compliment."
"Tell that to some one who does not use her eyes," said Mrs. Lancaster, mockingly.
"There are occasions when you must disbelieve the sight of your eyes." He was looking her steadily in the face, and Keith saw her expression change. She recovered herself.
"Last time I saw you, you vowed you had eyes for none but me, you may remember?" she said lightly.
"No. Did I? Life is too awfully short to remember. But it is true. It is the present in which I find my pleasure."
Up to this time neither Mrs. Lancaster nor Mr. Wickersham had taken any notice of Keith, who stood a little to one side, waiting, with his eyes resting on the other young man's face. Mrs. Lancaster now turned.
"Oh, Mr. Keith." She now turned back to Mr. Wickersham. "You know Mr. Keith?"