s I declared a
_quinzieme_ and fourteen kings, rather than this staccato exchange of
commonplaces which I was sure neither Joanna nor himself in the least
enjoyed. In fact, my dear Joanna yawned.

Presently Major Walters was announced. He had come, he explained
apologetically, on trustee business and required Joanna's signature to
an important document. She flew to him with a pretty air of delight,
drew him by the arm to an escritoire in a corner of the room, and
laughed girlishly as she inked her fingers and confessed her
powerlessness to comprehend the deed she was signing. Paragot, after a
very cold exchange of greetings with Major Walters, sat down by our
card-table, and watched the game with the funereal expression he always
wore when he desired to exhibit his entire correctness of demeanour. To
Mrs. Rushworth's placid remarks during the deals he made the politest of
monosyllabic replies. Meanwhile his dingy white tie, which he never
could arrange properly (he dressed for dinner each night without a
murmur) had worked up beyond his collar, and encircling his lean neck
like a pussy-cat's ribbon, gave him a peculiarly unheroic appearance.

The signing over, Joanna kept Major Walters by the escritoire and
chatted in a lively manner. As far as I could hear--and I am afraid my
attention was sadly abstracted from my game--they talked of the same
unintelligible things as the Tuesday afternoon guests, personalities,
local doings and what not. She ran to fetch the stole, over which
Paragot had not glowed with rapturous enthusiasm; apparently Major
Walters said just the thing concerning it her heart craved to hear; her
silvery voice rippled with pleasure. A while later he must have returned
to some business matter which he declared settled, for she put her hand
on his sleeve in her impulsive caressing way and her eyes beamed
gratitude.

"I don't know what I should do without you, Dennis. You bear all my
responsibilities on your strong shoulders. How can I thank you?"

He bent down and said something in a low voice, at which she blushed and
laughed reprovingly. His remark did not offend her in the least. She was
enjoying herself. He drew himself up with a smile. It was then that I
noted particularly how well bred and clean-limbed he was; how easily his
clothes fitted. It seemed as impossible for Major Walters' tie to work
up round his neck as for his toes to protrude through his boots. He gave
one the impression of having