“Seems to have got the pip,” Mr. Fendihook remarked cheerfully.

Barbara, with icy politeness, offered him tea.  He refused, explaining that unless he sat down to a square meal, which, in view of the excellence of his lunch, he was unable to do, he never drank tea in the afternoon.

“Could I have a whisky and soda, old pal?”

The drink was brought.  He pledged Barbara—­“And may I drink to the success of that promising little affair”—­he jerked a backward thumb—­“between our pippy friend and the charming widow?”

Barbara had passed the gasping stage.

“Mr. Chayne,” she said in the metallic voice that, before now, had made strong men grow pale, “Mr. Chayne stands in the same relation of trustee to Mrs. Boldero as he does to Mrs. Prescott.”

But Fendihook was undismayed.  “Some fellows have all the luck!  Here’s to him, and here’s to you, Sheba’s Queen.”

He nodded to Liosha and pulled at his drink.  But Liosha did not respond.  A hard look appeared in her eyes and the knuckles of her hand showed white.  Presently she rose and went onto the terrace, where she found Jaffery fixing a rebellious rug round Doria’s feet.  And this is what happened.

“Jaff Chayne,” she said, “I want to have a word with you.  You’ll excuse me, Doria, but Jaff Chayne’s as much my trustee as he is yours.  I have business to talk.”

Doria eyed her coldly.  “Talk as much business as you like, my dear girl.  I’m not preventing you.”  Jaffery strode off with Liosha.  As soon as they were out of earshot, she said: 

“Are you going to marry her?”

“Who?”

“Doria.”

Jaffery bent his brows on her.  He was not in his most angelic mood.

“What the blazes has that got to do with you?  Just you mind your own business.”

“All right,” she retorted, “I will.”

“Glad to hear it,” said he.  “And now I want a word with you.  What do you mean by bringing that howling cad down here?”

“It’s you who howl, not he.  He’s a very kind gentleman and very clever and he makes me laugh.  He’s not like you.”

“He’s a performing gorilla,” cried Jaffery.

They were both exceedingly angry, and having walked very fast, they found themselves in front of the gate of the walled garden.  Instinctively they entered and had the place to themselves.

“And a confounded bounder of a gorilla at that!” Jaffery continued.

“How dare you speak so of my friend?”

“You ought to be ashamed of yourself for having such a friend.  And you’re just going to drop him.  Do you understand?”

“Shan’t!” said Liosha.

“You shall.  You’re not going to be seen outside the house with him.”

There was battle clamorous and a trifle undignified.  They said the same things over and over again.  Both had worked themselves into a fury.

“I forbid you to have anything to do with the fellow.”