The great Horatio, as Jimmy disrespectfully called the head of his
family, loathed the stage. It was his one dread that some day the
blueness of his blood might run the risk of taint by being even
remotely connected with one of its members.

"He's not married, of course?" Mrs. Wyatt asked.

Challoner chuckled. "Married! Good Lord, no!" He leaned a little
forward to look at Christine.

"And you?" he asked. "Has the perfect man come along yet?"

It had been an old joke of his in the far away days, that Christine
would never marry until she found a perfect man. She had always had
such quaintly romantic fancies behind the seriousness of her beautiful
brown eyes.

She flushed now, shaking her head. "And you?" she asked. "Are you
married?"

Challoner said "No" very quickly. He wondered whether he ought to tell
them about Cynthia. The thought reminded him of his promise to go to
her after the first act. He rose hastily to his feet.

"I quite forgot. I've got an appointment. If you'll excuse me, I'll
come back, if I may."

He bowed himself off. Christine's beautiful eyes followed him
wistfully.