"If you like," said Miss Drake, indifferently, still gently munching at
her cake. Then suddenly she smiled--a glittering infectious smile, to
which unconsciously all the faces near her responded. "I have been
reading the book you lent me!" she said, addressing Mr. Ferrier.

"Well?"

"I'm too stupid--I can't understand it."

Mr. Ferrier laughed.

"I'm afraid that excuse won't do, Miss Alicia. You must find another."

She was silent a moment, finished her cake, then took some grapes, and
began to play with them in the same conscious provocative way--till at
last she turned upon her immediate neighbor, a young barrister with a
broad boyish face.

"Well, I wonder whether _you'd_ mind?"

"Mind what?"

"If your father had done something shocking--forged--or murdered--or
done something of that kind--supposing, of course, he were dead."

"Do you mean--if I suddenly found out?"

She nodded assent.