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I say, how good civilisation is!" he went on, his eyes dwelling lovingly on the interior of the restaurant. "Tophole, isn't it, Lutchester these smart girls, with their furs and violets and perfumes, the little note of music in the distance, the cheerful clatter of plates, the smiling faces of the waiters, and the undercurrent of pleasant voices. Don't laugh at me, please, Miss Van Teyl.
"Queer set out, isn't it? We won't wait a moment longer. Take my sister and Miss Van Teyl in, will you?" he went on, laying his hand on Lutchester's shoulder. "Ferrani will look after you. I'll follow directly." The chief maitre d'hotel advanced to meet them with a gesture of invitation, and led them to a table arranged for five.
"Get my bath ready, Leah." The maid disappeared into the inner room. Pamela tore open the note attached to the roses by her side, and read it slowly through: Dear Miss Van Teyl, I am so very sorry, but the luncheon we had half-planned for to-day must be postponed. I have an urgent message to go south; to inspect but no secrets! It's horribly disappointing. I hope we may meet in a few days.
"I'll tell you why, if you want to know," Van Teyl continued bluntly. "I know of four of the richest and best-looking young men in America, two ambassadors, an English peer, and an Italian prince, who have proposed to Pamela during the last twelve months alone. She refused every one of them." "Well," Fischer remarked, "she must marry some time." Van Teyl looked at him insolently.
"You haven't any doubt about that yourself, have you, Miss Van Teyl?" "I don't know," she told him calmly. Lutchester was almost horrified. He rose to his feet and stood looking down at his companion. "Tell me what on earth you mean?" he demanded. "We always win in the long run, even if we muddle things about a little."
She fought against the significance of the man's ominous words. This was his first blow, then, and directed against her. "I begin to understand," she said. "Please go on. Let me hear everything." Van Teyl had turned to the sideboard. He mixed and drank off a whisky and soda. Then he swung around. "I'll make a clean breast of it in a few words, Pamela," he promised.
He hastened towards her. "Miss Van Teyl?" he replied, a little hesitatingly. "How clever of you to know my voice!" she observed. "I am in the humour to talk. Will you sit down, please?" Mr. Fischer humbly drew a chair to her side. "I had an idea," he said, "that you had been avoiding me the last two or three days." "I have," she admitted. "Have I offended you, then?"
"I tell you, though, Miss Van Teyl," he went on earnestly, "if you're alluding to last night's affair, I hated the whole business. It was my duty, and the opportunity was there, but with what I have I am satisfied. With reference to that little debt of your brother's " "Please don't say a word, Mr. Fischer," she interrupted. "You will find that all put right as soon as you get down to Wall Street.
Joseph moistened his lips. He was still feeling sore and dizzy, but he began to see his way. "You noticed, perhaps," he said, "the American girl the beautiful young lady with this guy's friends? She was waiting with the others for Captain Graham to come down. I saw her go up the stairs. I saw her come down again, three minutes later." "Miss Van Teyl?" Fischer exclaimed, with a frown.
Of the two men it was Lutchester who piqued her, with whom she would have found more pleasure in the battle of wits. She found herself alternately furious and puzzled with him, yet her uneasiness concerning him possessed more disquieting, more fascinating possibilities than any of the emotions inspired by the other man. Van Teyl returned to her presently, a little impressed.
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