"in the midst of a most interesting conversation."

"Has he spoken to you about me?"

"Your name has not yet been mentioned."

She made a little grimace. In her wonderful furs and Russian turban hat
she made a rather striking picture against the background of snow.

"An interesting conversation in which my name has not been mentioned!"
she repeated satirically.

"I think you were coming into it before very long," Dominey assured her.
"His Excellency warned me that all he had said so far was merely the
prelude to a matter of larger importance."

Stephanie smiled.

"Dear Maurice is so diplomatic," she murmured. "I am perfectly certain
he is going to begin by remonstrating you for your shocking treatment of
me."

Their conversation was interrupted for a few minutes by the sport.
Dominey called the faithful Middleton to his side for a further supply
of cartridges. Stephanie bided her time, which came when the beaters at
last emerged from the wood.

"Shocking," Stephanie repeated reverting to their conversation, "is the
mildest word in my vocabulary which I can apply to your treatment of me.
Honestly, Leopold, I feel bruised all over inside. My pride is humbled."