She had been, at times, very close to caring a great deal for him, when now and again it flashed over her that there must be in him something serious under his brilliant talent and the idle perversity which mocked at it.
But now she recognised in his smile and manner everything that kept her from ever caring to understand him--the old sense of insecurity in his ironical formality; and her outstretched hand fell away from his with indifference.
"I didn't have the happiness of riding with you, after all," he said, serenely seating himself and dropping one lank knee over the other.
"Promises wouldn't be valuable unless somebody broke a lot now and then." "You probably had the happiness of riding with some other woman." He nodded.
"Who, this time ?" "Rosalie Dysart." Rumour had been busy with their names recently.

The girl's face became expressionless.
"Sorry you didn't come," he said, looking out of the window where the flapping shade revealed a lilac in bloom.
"How long did you wait for me ?" "About a minute.

Then Rosalie passed----" "Rosalies will always continue to pass through your career, my omnivorous friend....

Did it even occur to you to ride over here and find out why I missed our appointment ?" "No; why didn't you come ?" "Bibi went lame.

I'd have had another horse saddled if I hadn't seen you, over my shoulder, join Mrs.Dysart." "Too bad," he commented listlessly.
"Why?
You had a perfectly good time without me, didn't you ?" "Oh, yes, pretty good.