And general conversation began again.
Querida turned toward Neville, caught his eye, and shrugged: "That portrait is scarcely in your happiest manner, is it ?" he asked with a grimace.

"For me--" he touched his breast with long pale fingers--"I adore your gayer vein--your colour, clarity--the glamour of splendour that you alone can cast over such works as that--" He waved his hand upward toward the high canvas looming above.

And he smiled at Neville and seated himself beside Valerie.
A portfolio of new mezzotints attracted Annan; others gathered around to examine Neville's treasures; the tea table was deserted for a while except by Querida and Valerie.

Then he deliberately dropped his voice: "Will you give me another cup of tea, Valerie?
And let me talk to you ?" "With pleasure." She set about preparing it.
"I have not seen you for some time," he said in the same caressing undertone.
"You haven't required me, Jose." "Must it be entirely a matter of business between us ?" "Why, of course," she said in cool surprise.

"You know perfectly well how busy I am--and must be." "You are sometimes busy--pouring tea, here." "But it is after hours." "Yet, after hours, you no longer drop in to chat with me." "Why, yes, I do--" "Pardon.