"
He turned again and moodily looked out of the window in the full flood
of the sunset.
"We must play the game, Dick," said Austin gently, "and go through the
horrible farce of dinner--for mother's sake."
Dick heard him vaguely. Below, on the terrace, Viviette was walking, and
she filled his universe. She had changed the bedraggled frock for the
green one she had worn the night before. Presently she raised her eyes
and saw him leaning out of the window.
"Have they told you that dinner is not till a quarter past eight?" she
cried, looking deliciously upwards, with a dainty hand to her cheek.
"Lord Banstead sent a message to mother that he was unexpectedly
detained, and mother has put back dinner. Isn't it impudence?"
But Dick was far too crushed with misery to respond. He nodded
dejectedly. She remained staring up at him for a while and then ran into
the house.
Dick listlessly mentioned the postponement of dinner.
"I'm sorry I asked the little brute, but I couldn't avoid it."
"What does it matter?" said Austin.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131