“We were admiring your companion,” she drawled with a little dry laugh.
“She is hardly entertaining,” replied Alexis. “But I hear you are in trouble. What can I do to help?”
“Oh, nothing, thank you. I guess the chauffeur can manage by himself. Our wheel came off just as we were passing your driveway. Wasn’t it too providential? It might have happened out in the open country.”
“Very providential.” Alexis’s brows were quizzical. “Won’t you come upstairs while you are waiting? I’ll send my chauffeur out to help your man.” He nodded to Jules.
“We’d love to. But I forgot to introduce my friends. What must you think of me?” She was already half way up the flight of stairs. “This beautiful little person is Miss Olive Fay of the ‘Cloggers.’” She pushed forward a fluffy little blonde with large, ingenuous eyes. “You have heard of her, I am sure. Her fame has gone abroad.”
“I have seen your photograph in the Sunday papers. Miss Fay.” Alexis bowed formally over the tiny paw.
“I am much nicer, aren’t I?” She pouted pretty painted lips, and looked up at him beneath darkened lashes.
“Much!” His ironic inflection piqued her.
“And this is Señor Caldenas. He paints portraits of society ladies. He is rapidly acquiring a fortune because he insists upon their posing in mediæval costumes and compares their souls to the Mona Lisa.”
“That is because I believe in reincarnation,” the little man smiled affably up at Alexis, who warmed up to him most unexpectedly.