For a second we stared at it in the sunlight, and that second
sufficed to let us take in the situation; and there was something in
her words and tone of confidence, and something of authority in the
way she pointed to her carriage, that annoyed me.
"Thank you! I only dine with my friends," I answered coldly.
I suppose she was not insensible to the contempt in my tone and eyes
as I looked down on her, for her next words came in a more humble,
ingratiating voice.
"Make me one of them, then, Monsieur!--at once;" and she smiled--a
lovely smile on such a mouth. Howard stood in silence, staring at
her. I was very much amused and a little annoyed.
"You flatter me!" I returned, satirically; "but I have as many as I
want already."
Howard broke in.
"Won't you extend your invitation to me?" he said, eagerly, and she
threw a quick side-glance over him.
"I can't invite you both--at the same time!" she said, with a laugh
and a little Parisian shrug; and then she looked at me again with a
look that one would say was abominable or charming, according as
one's particular mood at the moment was.
My mood was not such as to condemn it.
My next words were simply said for me, as it were, by my long habit
of self-restraint.
"My presence is not in the question at all, to embarrass you," I
said, curtly, and added to Howard--
"We may as well go on.
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