Shall I repeat it to him ?" "No, please don't, Colonel Monk.

I did not mean it for compliment, only for an answer." "Your wish is a command; but may I make an exception in favour of Miss Porson, who prospectively owns the nice face in question?
She would be delighted to know it so highly rated;" and he glanced at her sharply, the look of a man of the world who is trying to read a woman's heart.
"By all means," answered Stella, in an indifferent voice, but recognising in the Colonel one who, as friend or foe, must be taken into account.

Then Morris came in, and they went to dinner.
Here also Colonel Monk was very pleasant.

He made Stella tell the story of the shipwreck and of her rescue, and generally tried to draw her out in every possible way.

But all the while he was watching and taking note of many things.