But when he had passed the barrier it wasn’t Lila who came up to him with both hands out, but Ray-Ray Fortescue with her shining eyes and her wide, warm smile. She said, ‘Oh, Bill!’ and before he knew what he was going to do he had kissed her. It happened just like that. Her mouth smiled, her eyes shone, and he kissed her. And why not? They had known each other long enough. She was Lila’s cousin, and the best friend in the world.

He kept his hold of her a hand on either side of her shoulders, and said,

‘Where’s Lila?’

‘She couldn’t come.’

A first premonitory fear made him say quickly,

‘She’s not ill?’

‘No.’

‘She’s not in town? But I wired to Holmbury as well-’ Ray Fortescue said,

‘She couldn’t come. Lady Dryden… Look here, I’ll tell you all about it-there’s been rather a hoo-ha. But we must get away from here. You’re coming back with me. Cousin Rhoda will be out. We’ll have the flat to ourselves, and I’ll tell you all about everything. Lila isn’t ill-she just couldn’t come. Look-that’s your porter, isn’t it? We’ll have to go and queue for a taxi.’

He gave her a long look before he let go. There was something up, but she wasn’t going to tell him what it was-not here. The deep antagonism which had always been between him and Sybil Dryden rose up in him. Lila was a great deal too much under her thumb. Just because your husband adopts a distant relation it doesn’t mean you’ve a right to own her body and soul. When they were married Lady Dryden was going to be put in her place. It was nice of Ray to come and meet him. He felt warmly towards her.

She walked beside him and made pleasant talk. Underneath she stiffened herself.