She sat uncomfortably upright, her hands loosely folded on her lap, her face devoid of encouragement.
"If Mrs.Lexman doesn't object," said the Greek.
"I should be pleased, if you would," she said, almost mechanically; "it is a horrid night and you won't get anything worth eating this side of London and I doubt very much," she smiled a little, "if the meal I can give you will be worthy of that description." "What you can give me will be more than sufficient," he said, with a little bow, and turned to her husband.
In a few minutes they were deep in a discussion of books and places, and Grace seized the opportunity to make her escape.

From books in general to Lexman's books in particular the conversation flowed.
"I've read every one of them, you know," said Kara.
John made a little face.

"Poor devil," he said sardonically.
"On the contrary," said Kara, "I am not to be pitied.

There is a great criminal lost in you, Lexman." "Thank you," said John.
"I am not being uncomplimentary, am I ?" smiled the Greek.

"I am merely referring to the ingenuity of your plots.