Undoubtedly Joan Whitworth was ahead of Hillyard and he began to hurry after her.
But he checked himself after a few paces.

Or rather the aspect of her companion checked him.

His appearance was vaguely familiar, but that was all.

It was not certainly Sir Chichester Splay, for the all-sufficient reason that the Private View had long gone by; since the very last week of the exhibition was announced in the window.

Moreover, the man in front of him was younger than Sir Chichester.
The couple, however, crossed the road to the Square Garden, and Hillyard saw the man in profile.