It was her supreme effort at self-control.

Then she laughed almost naturally, lit a cigarette, and seated herself upon the arm of an easy-chair.
"You are interfering shockingly with my correspondence," she declared, "and I am sure that they want you for bridge.

Here comes Lord Maltenby to tell you so," she added, glancing towards the door.
Lord Maltenby was very pompous, very stiff, and yet apologetic.

He considered the whole affair in which he had become involved ridiculous.
"Miss Abbeway," he said, "I beg to present to you Colonel Henderson.

An unfortunate occurrence took place here last night, which it has become the duty of--er--Colonel Henderson to clear up.