“Not for me, thanks. Appetizers spoil my appetite, and I’ve a rattling good one at the present moment. How long’ll you be—half an hour—or an hour—eh?”
“Half an hour, really not more. I won’t keep you waiting.”
“Right. Well, I’ll be back in half an hour, sharp.”
“But won’t you wait here?”
“No, thanks; I’ll go for a stroll and a cigarette. Au revoir.”
They were both punctual, in fact, Marian was waiting for him.
He held out a spray of green orchids.
“I went out to get you these—do wear them.”
She looked magnificent, he thought; a conqueror.
Under Maddison’s guidance she had cultivated her innate taste for Oriental color and magnificence; gold and silver embroideries, touches of brilliant flaming orange and scarlet seemed to defy, but in reality enhanced, the splendid richness of her red-gold hair.