That night he would make his search, with no risk of disturbing his wife.
* * * * * The dinner in the newly decorated dining-room went heavily.

Lady Barnes had grown of late more and more anxious and depressed.

She had long ceased to assert herself in Daphne's presence, and one saw her as the British matron in adversity, buffeted by forces she did not understand; or as some minor despot snuffed out by a stronger.
The General, who had only arrived just in time to dress, inquired in astonishment for Daphne, and was told by Roger that his wife was not well, but would come down for a little while after dinner.

In presence of the new splendours of Heston, the General had--in Roger's company--very little to say.

He made the vague remark that the dining-room was "very fine," but he should not have known it again.
Where was the portrait of Edward, and the full-length of Edward's father by Sir Francis Grant?
Lady Barnes drew herself up, and said nothing.
Roger hastily replied that he believed they were now in the passage leading to the billiard-room.
"What! that dark corner!" cried the General, looking with both distaste and hostility at the famous Signorelli--a full-length nude St.
Sebastian, bound and pierced--which had replaced them on the dining-room wall.