Later, when they were round their coffee in the lounge, the hall-porter brought her some letters on a salver. She saw Kenna looking at her satirically as she examined the superscriptions. All were addressed to Lady Diana Vernilands, and the problem of what she was to do about letters was one not yet considered.
"Don't let me keep you from your interesting correspondence," he remarked, and April started, to find that they were alone. Sarle had gone across to Leon to get some cigars.
"Oh, there's nothing that can't wait," she said hastily, and pushed them into her hand-bag.
"I agree"--he assumed a bright, conversational air--"that some things are even more interesting for being waited for; the explanation of your conduct, for instance!"
She looked at him steadily, though her heart was beating rapidly, for this moment had come upon her with sudden unexpectedness.
"Don't call it suffering." His tone was suave. "I am enjoying myself immensely."
"I shall try not to do anything to interfere with your amusement," she remarked, after a pause.
"That will be kind. The situation piques me. I should like to watch it to a finish without contributing to the _dénouement_; unless"--he looked at her significantly--"I am obliged to."
"I cannot believe anything or any one could oblige you to be disagreeable, Sir Ronald," she jeered softly. He meditated with an air of gravity.
"There _are_ one or two things, though; friendship, for instance--I would do quite disagreeable things for the sake of a friend." She was silent.
"I might even vex a woman I admire as much as I do you, to save a friend from disaster."
Thus they sparred, the attention of each fixed on Sarle, so gay and debonair, buying cigars within a stone's throw of them. Having finished with Leon, he attempted to rejoin them, but the lounge was crowded, and at every few steps some old friend entangled him.
"There is nothing much to admire about me." In spite of herself a note of desolation crept into her voice. Kenna looked at her in surprise. This was a new side to the adventuress!
"_Au contraire_. Apart from the inestimable gifts of youth and beauty the gods have bestowed, you possess a quality that would draw admiration from the most unwilling--courage."