I also lit a match from my box and handed it up to him.

When he had finished with the match he threw it into the fireplace and turned to Betty.
"My congratulations are a bit late, but I hope I may offer them." She said, "Thank you." Waved a hand.

"Won't you sit down ?" "Wasn't it rather sudden ?" he asked.
"Everything in war time is sudden--except the action of the British Government.

Your own appearance to-night is sudden." He laughed at her jest and explained, much as he had done to me, his reasons for wishing to keep his visit to Wellingsford a secret.
Meanwhile Marigold had brought in decanters and syphons.

Betty attended to Boyce's needs with a provoking air of nonchalance.