I led the way to the secluded table behind the screen, seated her, and took the chair opposite.

Without questioning her wishes I ordered for both, the girl sitting in silence, her face bent low over the menu card, a red flush on either cheek.

Still obsessed with vague suspicion of her character I could not forbear a suggestion.
"What will you have to drink ?" I asked, as the waiter turned aside.

"I 'd rather like a cocktail to drive the wet out of my system.

Shall I make it two ?" She glanced up quickly from under shading lashes, her eyes, big and brown, meeting my own.
"I prefer coffee; that will be quite sufficient." I ran my hand through my hair.
"Don't you ever drink anything stronger ?" I asked, almost tempted to apologize.