She roused herself to think of other people, to forget Alan Massey and his wonderful voice which had said such perturbing things.  Over across the table, Carlotta was talking vivaciously to a pasty-visaged, narrow-chested, stoop-shouldered youth who scarcely opened his mouth except to consume food, but whose eyes drank in every movement of Carlotta’s.  One saw at a glance he was another of that spoiled little coquette’s many victims.  Tony asked Hal who he was.  He seemed scarcely worth so many of Carlotta’s sparkles, she thought.

“Herb Lathrop—­father is the big tea and coffee man—­all rolled up in millions.  Carlotta’s people are putting all the bets on him, apparently, though for the life of me I can’t see why.  Don’t see why people with money are always expected to match up with somebody with a whole caboodle of the same junk.  Ought to be evened up I think, and a bit of eugenics slipped in, instead of so much cash, for good measure.  You can see what a poor fish he is.  In my opinion she had much better marry your neighbor up there on the Hill.  He is worth a gross of Herb Lathrops and she knows it.  Carlotta is no fool.”

“You mean Phil Lambert?” Tony was surprised.

Hal nodded.

“That’s the chap.  Only man I ever knew that could keep Carlotta in order.”

“But Carlotta hasn’t the slightest idea of marrying Phil,” objected Tony.

“Maybe not.  I only say he is the man she ought to marry.  I say, Tony, does she seem happy to you?”

“Carlotta!  Why, yes.  I hadn’t thought.  She seems gayer than usual, if anything.”  Tony’s eyes sought her friend’s face.  Was there something a little forced about that gaiety of hers?  For the first time it struck her that there was a restlessness in the lovely violet eyes which was unfamiliar.  Was Carlotta unhappy?  Evidently Hal thought so.  “You have sharp eyes, Hal,” she commented.  “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Oh, I’m one of the singed moths you know.  I know Carlotta pretty well and I know she is fighting some kind of a fight—­maybe with herself.  I rather think it is.  Tell Phil Lambert to come down here and marry her out of hand.  I tell you Lambert’s the man.”

“You think Carlotta loves Phil?”

“I don’t think.  ’Tisn’t my business prying into a girl’s fancies.  I’m simply telling you Phil Lambert is the man that ought to marry her, and if he doesn’t get on to the job almighty quick that pop-eyed simpleton over there will be prancing down the aisle to Lohengrin with Carlotta before Christmas, and the jig will be up.  You tell him what I say.  And study the thing a bit yourself while you are here, Tony.  See if you can get to the bottom of it.  I hate to have her mess things up for herself that way.”

Whereupon Hal once more proceeded to do his duty to the mermaid, leaving Tony to her other partner.

“Well,” the latter murmured, seeing her free.  “I have done the heavy polite act, discussed D’Annunzio, polo and psycho-analysis and finished all three subjects neatly.  Do I get my reward?”