"Perhaps I have kept you too long from the other guests."

He shook his head. "They don't exist."

"Ah! I will give you the chance to say such nice things to them."

"But I never say nice things--unless I mean them!"

"Never--monsieur?"

"Never. I am very careful what I say," he assured her, even as he
had assured another girl, in what different meaning, hours or
centuries before. "You can believe anything that I say."

"A young man of character! Perhaps that goes with the Scotch
costume. I have read the Scots are a noble people."

"They haven't a thing on the Americans. You must know me better and
discover--"

But again her eyes had gone, almost guiltily, to that watch. And
when she raised them again they were not smiling but very strangely
resolved.

"Monsieur, it is so hot--if you would get me a glass of sherbet?"

"Certainly." Convention brought out the assent; convention turned
him about and marched him dutifully toward the crowded table she
indicated.