She would not touch the hand that would have helped her in, and she kept her lips firmly closed throughout the drive.
When she entered the ballroom at length her husband was by her side, but neither by word nor look did she acknowledge his presence there.
Jerry spied her instantly, and came towards her.

She went quickly to meet him.
"For goodness' sake," she whispered urgently, "help me to get away from that man!" "Of course," said Jerry, promptly leading her away in the opposite direction till the crowd swallowed them.

"Who the dickens is he ?" She looked at him with a small, piteous smile.
"His name is Piet Cradock," she said.
"Great Scotland!" ejaculated Jerry; and added fiercely: "What the devil has he come back for?
What does he want ?" Nan threw back her head with a sudden wild laugh.
"Guess!" she cried.
But Jerry knew without guessing, and swore savagely under his breath.
"But you won't go with him--not yet, anyhow ?" he urged.

"He can't hurry you off without consulting your convenience.

You won't submit to that ?" An imp of mischief had begun to dance in Nan's eyes.
"I am told he has to sail next week," she said.