The eyes of the two men followed her till she reached the dim bar, then their glances swung round and met.

Carmichael was first to speak, not because he was forced to, but because it was his fancy at that moment to give the vintner the best of it.
"She is a fine girl." "Yes," tentatively.
"She is the handsomest peasant I ever saw or knew." "You know her ?" There was a spark in the vintner's eyes.
"Only for a few days.

She interests me." Carmichael produced a pipe and lighted it.
"Ah, yes, the pretty peasant girl always interests you gentlemen." There was a note of bitterness.

"Did you come here to seek her ?" "This is the first time I ever saw her here.

And let me add," evenly, "that my interest in her is not of the order you would infer.