Whether, once formed, he would be as attractive was a question she had never asked herself. She began now to tell him of a very painful motor accident which had happened to one of her friends.

“ Mr. Bateman,” said George briefly, as one who would pass on to better things.

A serious, pale-faced young man bowed.

“And now,” continued George, “I must introduce you to Countess Radzky.”

Countess Radzky had been conversing with Mr. Bateman. Leaning very far back on the sofa, with her legs crossed in a daring manner, she was smoking a cigarette in an incredibly long turquoise-studded holder.