She was an extremely honest person, honest even with herself, and she realized that either her own weakness or indecision, or some other motive had forced her to give a definite answer to Lord Fordyce--and that he was too fine a character to be played with and tossed about because of her moods.

She had mastered every sign of emotion by the time Madame Imogen's comfortable figure, accompanied by the two men, could be seen advancing in the distance.

She rose with the gracious smile of a hostess and held out her hand--pleased surprise upon her face.
"So you have come! but earlier than I thought," and she shook hands with Henry, and then turned to his friend without the slightest embarrassment, as Lord Fordyce spoke his name.
"How do you do," she said politely.

"You are both very welcome to Heronac." Michael had merely seen a pretty outline of a young woman until they had got quite close and she had raised her head and lifted the shadow of her big garden sun-bonnet--and then he stiffened suddenly and grew very pale.

He was a little behind the other two, and they observed nothing, but Sabine saw the change of color in his healthy handsome face, and the look of surprise and incredulity and puzzle which grew in his blue eyes.
"How do you do ?" he murmured, and then pulled himself together and looked at her hard.
But she stood his scrutiny with perfect unconcern--even meeting his eye with a blank, agreeable want of recognition; while she made some ordinary remark about their journey.