"Hugh has such a faculty," complained Mr. Grainger, "of turning up at the wrong moment!"
Dinner was announced. She took Chiltern's arm, and they fell into file behind a lady in yellow, with a long train, who looked at her rather hard. It was Mrs. Freddy Maitland. Her glance shifted to Chiltern, and it seemed to Honora that she started a little.
"Hello, Hugh," she said indifferently, looking back over her shoulder; "have you turned up again?"
"Still sticking to the same side of your horse, I see." he replied, ignoring the question. "I told you you'd get lop-sided."
The deformity, if there were any, did not seem to trouble her.
"I'm going to Florida Wednesday. We want another man. Think it over."
"Sorry, but I've got something else to do," he said.
"The devil and idle hands," retorted Mrs. Maitland.
Honora was sure as she could be that Chiltern was angry, although he gave no visible sign of this. It was as though the current ran from his arm into hers.
"Have you been away?" she asked.