The girl tittered - Mrs. Da
Souza was severely dignified. Trent watched them all, half in
amusement, half in disgust. What a pandemonium! It was time
indeed for him to get rid of them all. From where he sat he could
see across the lawn into the little pine plantation. It was still
light-if she could look in at the open window what would she think?
His cheeks burned, and he thrust the hand which was seeking his
under the table savagely away. And then an idea flashed in upon
him - a magnificent, irresistible idea. He drank off a glass of
champagne and laughed loud and long at one of his neighbour's silly
sayings. It was a glorious joke! The more he thought of it, the
more he liked it. He called for more champagne, and all, save the
little brown girl, greeted the magnum which presently appeared with
cheers. Even Mrs. Da Souza unbent a little towards the young women
against whom she had declared war. Faces were flushed and voices
grew a little thick. Da Souza's arm unchidden sought once more the
back of his neighbour's chair, Miss Montressor's eyes did their
utmost to win a tender glance from their lavish host. Suddenly
Trent rose to his feet. He held a glass high over his head. His
face was curiously unmoved, but his lips were parted in an
enigmatic smile.
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