It was some time before Esmond's intense gaze attracted the attention of the party, and when it did, he was rewarded with a most affable smile from Mrs L'Estrange, and one of quite pronounced friendliness from Miss Keane. The Colonel also bestowed a genial nod. After a pause, Tommy spoke somewhat ruefully. "I'm afraid this rather upsets our little plans. Mrs L'Estrange is a most conscientious diner: she will be here, at the lowest calculation, for an hour and a half, counting the coffee and cigarettes. They won't be back at the flat under a couple. You wouldn't care to wait so long." He looked rather wistfully at his companion. He, for his own part, would have waited half the night. "Don't let us commit ourselves, old man, but await events. We haven't finished our dinner yet, and the service is deucedly slow. We can put in a lot more time. You can pay your respects at a fitting moment, and perhaps they will ask us to their table. I must confess I should like to see Miss Keane at closer quarters, and talk to her. Although I don't expect she will reveal as much to me as she does to you." Tommy looked pleased again; he was very bent upon introducing Spencer to his beautiful young friend. It would come about presently: if not here, in the lounge. Already, Mrs L'Estrange had sent a few covert glances in the direction of their table. There was little doubt she knew who his companion was, and would be quite pleased to number him amongst her acquaintance. "Has Miss Keane many admirers? She should have," remarked Spencer presently. He noticed that Esmond's eyes were always turned in the direction of that particular table. "Not any serious ones, I fancy. A few young fellows send her flowers, but nothing more. It is quite an unsuitable _menage_ for a girl of her attractions. The majority of the _habitues_ are middle-aged men who go there simply to gamble. The few young ones come for a flutter, and disappear when they have had enough." "Does the young lady play?" "I have never seen her. She has told me scores of times that she loathes gambling. Her father ruined himself by it. I believe she is really very unhappy there. And I gather Mrs L'Estrange has not the best of tempers, particularly when she has had bad luck." "Hobson's choice, I expect," suggested Spencer sympathetically. Miss Keane was facing him, giving him ample opportunity to examine the beautiful countenance, and it struck him that there was an underlying expression of sadness on the perfect features, especially when in repose. "I fear so," was Esmond's answer. "She is very reticent about her own affairs, as any gentlewoman would be. But from certain things she has let drop, I make out her own means are very slender, and her cousin's hospitality is a boon to her."