On his entering the drawing-room, three figures appeared before him.

He saw Alma; he recognised Miss Leach; the third lady was named to him as Miss Leach's sister.
'You knew I was in London ?' Alma remarked rather than inquired.
'I had no idea of it--until I heard your violin.' 'My violin, but not my playing.

It was Miss Leach.' From the first word--her 'Ah, how d'you do' as he entered--Alma's tone and manner appeared to him forced, odd, unlike anything he remembered of her.

In correcting him, she gave a hard, short laugh, glancing at Dora Leach in a way verging upon the ill-bred.

Her look had nothing amiable, though she continuously smiled, and when she invited the visitor to be seated, it was with off-hand familiarity very unflattering to his ear.
'You came to see Mamma, of course.