Confusion was dispelled, a quick and grateful animation took possession of her, to be replaced an instant after by the disconcerting reflection that there was in his face or manner not the faintest sign of emotion or embarrassment.

From his attitude they might have been good friends who had not met for some time; nothing more.
"Yes, what a place to meet!" she said.

"It really ought to have been at a green-grocer's, and the apotheosis of the commonplace would have been celebrated.

But when did you return?
How long do you remain in England ?" Ah, the sense of relief to feel that he was not reproaching her for anything, not impeaching her by an injured tone and manner, which so many other men had assumed with infinitely less right or cause than he! "I came back thirty-six hours ago, and I stay at the will of the master-mind," he answered.
The old whimsical look came into her face, the old sudden flash which always lighted her eyes when a daring phrase was born in her mind, and she instantly retorted: "The master-mind--how self-centred you are!" Whatever had happened, certainly the old touch of intellectual diablerie was still hers, and he laughed good-humoredly.

Yes, she might be this or that, she might be false or true, she might be one who had sold herself for mammon, and had not paid tribute to the one great natural principle of being, to give life to the world, man and woman perpetuating man and woman; but she was stimulating and delightful without effort.
"And what are you doing these days ?" he asked.