Beatrice glanced at her face for the first time, and then by a courteous movement of the head signified that Unorna should go out first.

Unorna appeared to hesitate, Beatrice to protest.

Both women smiled a little, and Unorna, with a gesture of submission, passed through the doorway.

She had managed it so well that it was almost impossible to avoid speaking as they threaded the long corridors together.

Unorna allowed a moment to pass, as though to let her companion understand the slight awkwardness of the situation, and then addressed her in a tone of quiet and natural civility.
"We seem to be the only ladies in retreat," she said.
"Yes," Beatrice answered.