and that he was after all her guest. But he interpreted her actions
differently, and supposing that he was at last being appreciated, he had
launched fearlessly forth upon the conversational sea. It was this
spectacle that had drawn Christine and Nancy together, in their
whisperings and giggles in the window.

"This perhaps will illustrate my meaning," he was saying rather loudly:
"this is the difference in our outlook on life. If you say 'she dresses
well,' you intend a compliment, but to me it is just the reverse. The
idea is repellent to me that a woman wastes time, thought, money on her
vanity, on decking her body--"

"One on you, my dear," whispered Christine.

"Isn't he tiresome?" answered Nancy, shutting her eyes.

"I thought he was your selection."

"Nobody's infallible, my dear. Besides, I telegraphed him not to accept
the invitation, but he says he never got my message."

"Why does he think you sent it?"

"Because I couldn't trust myself--"

They grinned at each other.

With the entrance of Riatt and Ussher they went in to lunch, and there
manoeuvering for places for the afternoon immediately began.