"No; the _King Edward_ did that. We crossed together. Oh, Monsieur
Chauvenet, let me present Mr. Armitage," said Shirley, seeing that the
men had not spoken.

The situation amused Armitage and he smiled rather more broadly than was
necessary in expressing his pleasure at meeting Monsieur Chauvenet. They
regarded each other with the swift intentness of men who are used to the
sharp exercise of their eyes; and when Armitage turned toward Shirley and
Mrs. Sanderson, he was aware that Chauvenet continued to regard him with
fixed gaze.

"Miss Claiborne is a wonderful sailor; the Atlantic is a little
tumultuous at times in the spring, but she reported to the captain every
day."

"Miss Claiborne is nothing if not extraordinary," declared Mrs. Sanderson
with frank admiration.

"The word seems to have been coined for her," said Chauvenet, his white
teeth showing under his thin black mustache.

"And still leaves the language distinguished chiefly for its poverty,"
added Armitage; and the men bowed to Shirley and then to Mrs. Sanderson,
and again to each other. It was like a rehearsal of some trifle in a
comedy.

"How charming!" laughed Mrs. Sanderson. "And this lovely room is just the
place for it."