He seemed altogether unconscious that the eyes of the two men were upon him.
"Thank you.

I should like one," he said, and at the sound of his voice Stella Ballantyne turned around in her chair.
"You!" she cried and the cry was pitched in a tone of pleasure and welcome.
"Of course you know Mrs.Ballantyne," said Hazlewood.

He saw Stella rise from her chair and hold out her hand to Thresk with the colour aflame in her cheeks.
"You are surprised to see me again," she said.
Thresk took her hand cordially.

"I am delighted to see you again," he replied.
"And I to see you," said Stella, "for I have never yet had a chance of thanking you"; and she spoke with so much frankness that even Pettifer was shaken in his suspicions.

She turned upon Mr.Hazlewood with a mimicry of indignation.