A gesture of annoyance was the first reply, but, after an instant's reflection, Basil begged his kinsman to withdraw.

Heliodora then entered the shop, which was nothing more than an open recess, with a stone counter half across the entrance, and behind it a couple of wooden stools.

Upon one of these the lady seated herself, and Basil, who had greeted her only with a movement of the head, stood waiting.
'So you will not sup with me ?' began Heliodora, in a voice of bantering indifference.

'You will not come to see me?
You will not write to me?
It is well.

I care less than the clipping of a finger-nail.' 'So I would have it,' Basil replied coldly.
'Good.