640 A MODERN COMEDY
can settle, with both sides paying their own costs. It's
more thnn they deserve."
" He ought never to have asked that question, sir."
Fleur looked up sharply.
" Really, Michael ! "
" Well, darling, we agreed he shouldn't. Why didn't
Bullfry help her out, sir ? "
" Only too glad to get her out of the Box ; the judge
would have asked her himself in another minute. It's a
complete fiasco, thank God ! "
" Then we've won ? " said Fleur.
" Unless I'm a Dutchman," answered Soames.
" I'm not so sure," muttered Michael.
" I tell you it's all over ; Bullfry'll never go on with it."
u I didn't mean that, sir."
Fleur said acidly : " Then what do you mean, Michael ? "
" I don't think we shall be forgiven, that's all."
" What for ? "
" Well, I dare say I'm all wrong. Sauce, sir ? "
" Worcester—yes. This is the only place in London
where you can rely on a floury potato. Waiter—three
glasses of port, quick ! "
After fifteen minutes of concentrated mastication, they
returned to the Court.
u Wait here," said Soames, in the hall; u I'll go up and
find out."
In that echoing space, where a man's height was so in-
considerable, Fleur and Michael stood, not speaking, for
some time.
" She couldn't know that Foskisson had been told not
to follow it up, of course," he said, at last. " Still, she
must have expected the question. She should have told
a good one and have done with it. I couldn't help feeling
sorry for her."