There was a flash of anger in her eyes, but she pretended not to hear and passed out of the room on Ravenscar’s arm.

There were already several people in the dining-room on the ground-floor, but Ravenscar found a seat for Miss Grantham at one of the smaller tables arranged beside the wall, and, having supplied her with some pickled salmon, and a glass of iced champagne, he sat down opposite her, picked up his own knife and fork, and said: “You must allow me to tell you, Miss Grantham, that I count myself fortunate in their lordships’ misfortune.”

The corners of her mouth lifted. “That’s mighty pretty of you, sir. I had the oddest fancy that you were not much in the way of making pretty speeches.”

“That depends on the company in which I find myself,” he replied.

She eyed him speculatively. “What brought you here?” she asked abruptly.

“Curiosity, Miss Grantham.”

“Is it satisfied?”

“Oh, not yet, ma’am! Let me give you some of these green peas; they are quite excellent!”

“Yes, we pride ourselves on the quality of our suppers,” she said. “Why did you play at E.O.? Is not faro your game?”

“Curiosity again, Miss Grantham. My besetting sin.”

“Curiosity to see a female elbow-shaker, sir?”

“Just so,” he agreed.

“Was that why you came?”

“Of course,” he said coolly.

She laughed. “Well, I did not think when I saw you that you were a gamester!”

“Did you take me for a flat, Miss Grantham?”

Her eyes twinkled rather attractively. “Why, yes, for a moment I did! But Lord Ormskirk put all my hopes to flight. The rich Mr Ravenscar’s luck at the bones or the cards is proverbial.”

“It was out tonight.”

“Oh, you do not care a fig for that silly game! I wish you may not break my aunt’s faro-bank.”

“If you will inform the stalwart person at your door that I am free to enter the house, I promise I shall endeavour to do so when I come again.”