All the same, the fellow's
rather a puzzle. I can't help wondering how he succeeded in making
such an easy conquest of a lady who has scarcely been notorious for
her flirtations, and a young woman who is madly in love with another
man. He hasn't--"
"Hasn't what?"
"He hasn't," Sir Henry continued, blowing out the match which he
had been holding to his cigarette and throwing it away, "been in
the position of being able to render you or Helen any service, has
he?"
"I don't understand you," Philippa replied, a little uneasily.
"There's nothing to understand," Sir Henry went on. "I was simply
trying to find some explanation for his veni, vidi, vici."
"I don't think you need go any further than the fact," Philippa
observed, "that he is well-bred, charming and companionable."
"Incidentally," Sir Henry queried, "do you happen to have come
across any one here who ever heard of him before?"
"I don't remember any one," Philippa replied. "He was at college
with Richard, you know."
Sir Henry nodded.
"Of course, that's a wonderful introduction to you and Helen," he
admitted. "And by-the-by, that reminds me," he went on, "I never
saw such a change in two women in my life, as in you and Helen.
A few weeks ago you were fretting yourselves to death about Dick.
Now you don't seem to mention him, you both of you look as though
you hadn't a care in the world, and yet you say you haven't heard
from him.
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