'If he took a fancy to a person--well, it might be rather serious, if you take my meaning,' said Vincy. 'How sweet of him! So unusual. Do you like Myra Mooney?' 'Me? Oh, rather; I'm devoted to her. She's a delightful type. Get her on to the subject of the red carnations. She's splendid about them.... She received them every day at breakfast-time for fifteen years. Another jolly thing about Aylmer is that he has none of that awful old-fashioned modernness, thank goodness!' 'Ah, I noticed that.' 'I suppose he wasn't brilliant today. He was too thrilled. But, do be just a teeny bit careful, Edith dear, because when he is at all he's very much so. Do you see?' 'What a lot you seem to think of one little visit, Vincy! After all, it was only one.' 'There hasn't been time yet for many more, has there, Edith dear? He could hardly call twice the same day, on the first day, too.... Yes, I come over quite queer and you might have knocked me down with a feather, in a manner of speaking, when I clapped eyes on him setting here.' Edith liked Vincy to talk in his favourite Cockney strain. It contrasted pleasantly with his soft, even voice and _raffiné_ appearance. 'Here's Bruce,' she said. Bruce came in carrying an enormous basket of gilded straw. It was filled with white heather, violets, lilies, jonquils, gardenias and mimosa. The handle was trimmed with mauve ribbon. 'Oh, Bruce! How angelic of you!' 'Don't be in such a hurry, dear. These are not from me. They arrived just at the same time that I did. Brought by a commissionaire. There was hardly room for it in the lift.' Edith looked quickly at the card. It bore the name of the minister of the place with a name like Ruritania. 'What cheek!' exclaimed Bruce, who was really flattered. 'What infernal impertinence. Upon my word I've more than half a mind to go and tell him what I think of him--straight from the shoulder. What's the address?' 'Grosvenor Square.' 'Well, I don't care. I shall go straight to the embassy,' said Bruce. 'No, I sha'n't. I'll send them back and write him a line--tell him that Englishwomen are not in the habit of accepting presents from undesirable aliens.... I consider it a great liberty. Aren't I right, Vincy?' 'Quite. But perhaps he means no harm, Bruce. I daresay it's the custom in the place with the funny name. You see, you never know, in a place like that.' 'Then you don't think I ought to take it up?' 'I don't want them. It's a very oppressive basket,' Edith said. 'How like you, Edith! I thought you were fond of flowers.' 'So I am, but I like one at a time. This is too miscellaneous and crowded.' 'Some women are never satisfied. It's very rude and ungrateful to the poor old man, who meant to be nice, no doubt, and to show his respect for Englishwomen. I think you ought to write and thank him,' said Bruce. 'And let me see the letter before it goes.' CHAPTER VII Coup de Foudre