"Why will he interest me?"
Monsieur, as he answered, ran his gloved finger slowly down the line of close figures.
"He will interest you for several reasons. Firstly, because he plays superbly and asks for no pay. He is rich. Secondly, because he is clever and dislikes women; and, finally—because you won't understand him."
Mademoiselle laughed defiantly.
"He is a gentleman, then?"
"Yes."
"Will he dislike me?"
"Perhaps I have used a wrong word. It is more disdain than dislike."
"Will he disdain me?"
M. Lorman replaced the papers in his pocket and looked with comic gravity at her, as if to judge the effect she would be likely to have on his friend. Then, his eyes twinkling with mischief, he answered deliberately: