Evidently she had heard of his previous visit.

"We have searched every room in the house for you," she said gaily, "and had you disappeared for much longer, Maggy Ann would have had the carpets up." He excused himself on the ground that he had forgotten something, and she chided him merrily for being forgetful.

As he sat with her David could have groaned aloud.

How vivacious she had become! but she was sparkling in false colours.

After what he knew had been her distress of a few minutes ago, it was a painted face to him.