The young man who seemed to be about one or two and twenty, had also pale blue eyes, in one of which he wore an eye-glass, but his hair was sandy as though it had been bleached, parted in the middle and oiled down flat.
For a moment there was a silence which I felt to be dreadful.

Then in a big, pompous voice A.-S.

_pere_ said, "How do you do, my dear Luna?
As I ascertained from the footman that you had not yet gone to dress, I insisted upon his leading us here for a little private conversation after we have been parted for so many years.
We wished to offer you our condolences in person on your and our still recent loss." "Thank you," said Lady Ragnall, "but I think we have corresponded on the subject which is painful to me." "I fear that we are interrupting a smoking party, Thomas," said Mrs.
A.-S.

in a cold voice, sniffing at the air for all the world like a suspicious animal, whereon the five of them stared at Lady Ragnall's cigarette which she held between her fingers.
"Yes," said Lady Ragnall.

"Won't you have one?
Mr.Quatermain, hand Mrs.
Smith the box, please." I obeyed automatically, proffering it to the lady who nearly withered me with a glance, and then to each to each in turn.