Page:Firecrackers a realistic novel.pdf/87

 Campaspe. To her expert intelligence it was quite evident that he had rediscovered his furnace-man, although he had not said so.

The purple glass fruit-plates, containing oranges preserved in grenadine, rested on the maple board before Paul had done with the relation of his incredible history. As she listened to the peroration Campaspe automatically made a pretence of cutting into the dyed rind of the pungent fruit. Her eyes, however, did not stray from the face of her companion.

He wound up with a query. What, if any, do you make of it, 'paspe?

Mrs. Lorillard supported her chin on her right palm and appeared to meditate. What was really running through her mind was something like this: In completely esoteric situations it is wise to reject obvious explanations, at any rate wise to come to no definite conclusions, until one has been vouchsafed the opportunity to form a first-hand impression.

I think, she declared aloud, that I shall give a box-party at the Riverside Monday afternoon. Whom shall I ask?

Why don't we go alone?

No. . . Campaspe appeared to be considering. . . I don't think so. Consuelo. ..

Consuelo!