Indeed the acceptance of the pubbishness of the place was characteristic of its frequenters. Most of the men looked vaguely weary; some keenly interested bent over the silver laden tables, their eyes fixed on their women's arms. Here and there a foreigner with coal black hair, a soft shirt front and a fancy white waistcoat, spiced with originality the sedateness of English gaiety. An American woman was giving herself away by a semitone, but her gown was exquisite and its _décolletage_ challenged gravitation. Cairns' attitude was exasperatingly that of Gallio, save as concerned Victoria. His eyes did not leave her. She knew perfectly well that he was inspecting her, watching the rise and fall on her white breast of his Christmas gift, a diamond cross. They both refused the mousse and Victoria mischievously leant forward, her hands crossed under her chin, her arms so near Cairns' face that he could see on them the fine black shading of the down. 'Well, Tom?' she asked. 'Quite happy?' 'No,' growled Cairns, 'you know what I want.' 'Patience and shuffle the cards,' said Victoria, 'and be thankful I'm here at all. But I musn't rot you Tommy dear, after a present like that.' She slipped her fingers under the diamond cross. Cairns watched the picture made by the rosy manicured finger nails, the sparkling stones, the white skin. 'A pity it doesn't match my rings,' she remarked. Cairns looked at her hand. 'Oh, no more it does. I thought you had a half hoop. Never mind, dear. Give me that sapphire ring.' 'What do you want it for?' asked Victoria with a conscious smile. 'That's my business.' She slipped it off. He took it, pressing her fingers. 'I think you ought to have a half hoop,' he said conclusively. Victoria leant back in her chair. Her smile was triumphant. Truly, men are hard masters but docile slaves. 'You'll spoil me, Tom,' she said weakly. 'I don't want you to think that I'm fishing for things. I'm quite happy, you know. I'd rather you didn't give me another ring.' 'Nonsense,' said Cairns, 'I wouldn't give it you if I didn't like to see it on your hand.' 'I don't believe you,' she said smoothly, but the phrase rang true.