She, liking the game, played very well and chatted indifferently; he played badly, and broached trivial topics in spite of himself.

After an hour-and-a-half's play, Gertrude had announced that this game must be their last.

He thought desperately that if he were to miss many more strokes the game must presently end, and an opportunity which might never recur pass beyond recall.

He determined to tell her without preface that he adored her, but when he opened his lips a question came forth of its own accord relating to the Persian way of playing billiards.

Gertrude had never been in Persia, but had seen some Eastern billiard cues in the India museum.