Berenice was dressed for a royal dinner party, and she had only a few minutes to spare.

Nevertheless she contrived to make them very unpleasant ones for Borrowdean.
"The affair was entirely an accident," he pleaded.
"It was nothing of the sort," she answered, bluntly.

"I know you too well for that.

Your bringing him here without warning was an unwarrantable interference with my affairs." Borrowdean could hold his own with men, but Berenice in her own room, a wonderful little paradise of soft colourings and luxury so perfectly chosen that it was rather felt than seen; Berenice, in her marvellous gown, with the necklace upon her bosom and the tiara flashing in her dark hair, was an overwhelming opponent.

Borrowdean was helpless.