He stopped under the portico, to say with a laugh that was not quite
spontaneous: "Yes; I dare say. But my experience is limited. I've never
got to the--afterward."

"Oh, well, you will," she said, encouragingly, "now that you know
Colonel Ashley."

"I've heard of men plunging into a cold bath and finding it so icy that
they've popped out again."

"Yes; thin-blooded men, who are sensitive to chills. Not men like you."

They entered the house, lingering in the oval sitting-room through
which they had to pass.

"Fortunately," he tried to say, lightly, "it doesn't matter in this case
whether I'm sensitive to chills or not."

"Oh, but it does. I want you two to be friends."

"What for?" The question was so point-blank as to be a little scornful,
but she ignored that.

"On Colonel Ashley's side, for what he'll gain in knowing you; on
yours--for something more."

He stopped again, at the foot of the staircase in the hall. "May I
ask--just what you mean by that?"