She had a sudden terrified misgiving that her role was too high for her, that she had already cracked her mask.

But she looked quietly at Miss Cameron and smiled across the tide that surged in her as she added, "He was very distressed at having to go." They looked at her in an instant's blank astonishment.

Miss Cameron opened her lips and closed them again, glancing at Mrs Kilbannon.

They fell back together, but not in disorder.

This was something much more formidable than common curiosity.