"I adore flowers.

Just now, too," she added, with a little sigh, "anything is welcome which helps to keep my mind off my own affairs." "It was very good of you to let me come," he declared.

"I can quite understand that you don't feel like seeing many people just now." Francis' manner, although deferential and courteous, had nevertheless some quality of aloofness in it to which she was unused and which she was quick to recognise.

The smile, faded from her face.

She seemed suddenly not quite so young.
"Haven't I seen you before somewhere quite lately ?" she asked, a little sharply.
"You saw me at Soto's, the night that Victor Bidlake was murdered," he reminded her.