Waterville sharply resented this accusation. "I had no idea you were here," he declared.
"We were n't hiding," said Sir Arthur quietly. "Perhaps you 'll see Mrs. Headway back to the house. I think I ought to look after old Davidoff. I believe lunch is at two."
He left them, and Waterville wandered through the gardens with Mrs. Headway. She immediately wished to know if he had come there to look after her; but this inquiry was accompanied, to his surprise, with the acrimony she had displayed the night before. He was determined not to let that pass, however; when people had treated him in that way they should not be allowed to forget it.
"Do you suppose I am always thinking of you? " he asked. "You're out of my mind sometimes. I came here to look at the gardens, and if you had n't spoken to me I should have passed on."
Mrs. Headway was perfectly good-natured; she appeared not even to hear his defence. "He has got two other places," she simply rejoined. "That 's just what I wanted to know."
But Waterville would not be turned away from his grievance. That mode of reparation to a person whom you had insulted which consisted in forgetting that you had done so, was doubtless largely in use in New Mexico; but a person of honor demanded something more. "What did you mean last night by accusing me of having come down here to watch you? You must excuse me if I tell you that I think
