As though by some curious instinct which they both shared, they glanced across the table to where Granet had become the centre of a little babble of animated conversation.

Geraldine averted her eyes almost at once, and looked down at her plate.

There was a shade of uneasiness in her manner.
"You sounds very serious, Hugh," she observed.
"That is rather a failing of mine, isn't it ?" he replied.

"At any rate, I am very much in earnest." There was another brief silence, during which Geraldine was addressed by her neighbour on the other side.

Thomson, who was watching her closely, fancied that she accepted almost eagerly the opportunity of diversion.
It was not until dinner was almost over that she abandoned a conversion into which she had thrown herself with spirit.
"My little suggestion," Thomson reminded her, "remains unanswered." She looked down at her plate.
"I don't think you are really in earnest," she said.
"Am I usually a farceur ?" he replied.