The woman laid her fingers upon her guest's coat-sleeve.

The trio crossed the little hall almost in silence.
Dinner was served in a small white Georgian dining-room, with every appurtenance of almost Sybaritic luxury.

The only light in the room was thrown upon the table by two purple-shaded electric lamps, and the servants who waited seemed to pass backwards and forwards like shadows in some mysterious twilight--even the faces of the three diners themselves were out of the little pool of light until they leaned forward.

The dinner was chosen with taste and restraint, the wines were not only costly but rare.

A watchful butler, attended now and then by a trim parlour-maid, superintended the service.