"What is your sister's name, Mr.Theydon ?" "Mollie," he said thoughtlessly, for he had just touched Evelyn Forbes's hand, and the mere contact gave him an electrical shock.
The women laughed, and Mrs.Paxton blushed.
"Mollie Paxton, at any rate," she said, realizing at once that her brother had completely lost all self-possession at sight of his divinity.

"Now, as you are going to stay here, Frank, you shall give me the full measure of the few minutes I can spare, so go and talk over your adventures with Mr.Forbes while I gossip with the prisoners." Theydon saw that his tactful sister had struck the right note.

She might be trusted to make herself eminently agreeable.

Her bright, smiling manner had already created a good impression, and a lively chat with one who had not passed through the vicissitudes which beset the Forbes family would be an excellent tonic.
"Before I efface myself, may I be allowed to congratulate Mrs.Forbes on her escape ?" he said, halting at the door.
"Yes, you may," replied the older lady.

"And, just to show that I am convalescent, kindly tell Tomlinson that I am coming down to luncheon, and that Mrs.Paxton will join us." Forbes was leaving the telephone when Theydon regained the hall and explained that he had been dismissed from the feminine conclave upstairs.