When he spoke to her his voice had a sternness which Violet Oliver had not heard before.

But she had always been aware that it might be heard, if at any time he disapproved.
"'Your friend,' you called him, speaking to me," he said.

"It seems that he is your friend too." "He was with you at La Grave.

I met him there." "He comes to your house ?" "He has called once or twice," said Mrs.Oliver submissively.

It was by no wish of hers that Shere Ali had appeared at this dance.