I had so counted on an hour's talk.' Rhoda led him to the drawing-room, excused herself for a few moments, and came back in her ordinary evening dress.

Barfoot noticed that her hair was much more becomingly arranged than when he first saw her; so it had been on the last occasion, but for some reason its appearance attracted his eyes this evening.

He scrutinized her, at discreet intervals, from head to foot.

To Everard, nothing female was alien; woman, merely as woman, interested him profoundly.

And this example of her sex had excited his curiosity in no common degree.