Mr. Crabb politely echoed; and Patricia hated him for the nebulous smile which seemed to contain hidden meanings. But she rose to the occasion in a way which seemed to disconcert her companion--who only answered her rapid fire of commonplaces in monosyllables. At the table she found her refuge upon the other side to be an Italian from the embassy at Washington, whose French limped but whose English was a cripple. And so they minced and stuttered, Ollendorf fashion, through the oysters and soup, while Crabb occupied himself with the daughter of the house upon his other side. But at last Patty was aware that Mr. Crabb was speaking. "Miss Wharton," he began, "I fear I've been put somewhat under a cloud." "Really," she answered sweetly, "how so?" A little disconcerted but undismayed, he continued: "Because of the manner of our meeting." "Our meeting!" she said uncertainly. "At the Assembly, you know. I thought perhaps that--you thought--I'd asked to be presented." "Didn't you? Then, how did we happen to meet?" He could not but admire her _sang-froid_. She was smiling a non-committal smile at the centerpiece. "Er--I should explain. I was adrift and Barclay came to my rescue. I give you my word, I had no notion it was to you he was taking me. It was all over in a second." "Then you really didn't wish to meet me? I'm so sorry." She had turned her face slowly to his and was looking him levelly in the eyes. It was a challenge, not a petition. He met her thrust fairly. "My dear Miss Wharton," he smiled, "how could I know what you were like--er--if I'd never seen you?" This time he fairly set her weapon flying. "What I wish you to understand," he continued, steadily, "is that I didn't know that Barclay was taking me to you. I wish credit for a certain delicacy. I should not have cared to force myself upon you." "I'm sure I shouldn't have minded in the least," she said, lightly. "I'm not so difficult as all that." As soon as she had spoken she knew she had overshot her mark. "That's awfully good of you, you know. I'm sure you'll admit I had no means of knowing," he added, "how difficult you were." She flushed a little before returning to the attack. "Of course a girl wishes to know a little something about a man before----" "Before she permits herself to misjudge him." He smiled. "Candidly, do you feel in any better position to judge me now than you did before----" "Before the Assembly?" she interrupted. "I think so. You don't eat with your knife," laughing. "You've a respect for the napkin. People say you're clever. Why shouldn't I believe them?" "If this is your creed of morality, I'm respectability itself. Can you doubt me? Why won't you be frank? If I'm respectable why shouldn't you have cared to meet me?" "I'm not sure I thought very much about it. How did you know I didn't wish to meet you?" "How could I know you did?" She looked up at him, a new expression on her face.