“Mr. Merriam!”
She collected herself quickly, rose, extended her hand. “I am so glad to see you again,” she said, with an air of sincerity warranted by the occasion.
“Can I be of any service to you?”
“Oh, no, thanks,” she replied lightly. And turning to Boissy, who stood by fuming, “I have the pleasure of thanking you for a most agreeable afternoon.”
With a bow she dismissed him. He saluted with as good a grace as he could, including Gerard in his salute. But Gerard kept his hands in his pockets and watched him move away.
“What the deuce was he trying to do?” he asked.
“Make love to me, I suppose.”
“Somewhat fiercely!”
“I had just struck him across the face.”
“Are those the habits of these parts?”