Honora was silent, watching Chiltern. At times the completeness of her understanding of him gave her an uncanny sensation; and again she failed to comprehend him at all. She felt his anger go to a white heat, but the others seemed blissfully unaware of the fact. The arrival of coffee made a diversion.
“You and Hugh may have the pergola, Honora. I'll take Mr. Deming into the garden.”
“I really ought to go in a few minutes, Elsie,” said Honora.
“What nonsense!” exclaimed Mrs. Shorter. “If it's bridge at the Playfairs', I'll telephone and get you out of it.”
“No—”
“Then I don't see where you can be going,” declared Mrs. Shorter, and departed with her cavalier.
“Why are you so anxious to get away?” asked Chiltern, abruptly.
Honora coloured.
“Oh—did I seem so? Elsie has such a mania for pairing people off-sometimes it's quite embarrassing.”
“She was a little rash in assuming that you'd rather talk to me,” he said, smiling.