Her face as she came down the stairs was impassive, gay, with a furtive trouble in the eyes, and once more Shelton had the odd sensation of having sinned against his manhood.

Jammed close to him was her old nurse, whose puffy, yellow face was pouting with emotion, while tears rolled from her eyes.

She was trying to say something, but in the hubbub her farewell was lost.

There was a scamper to the carriage, a flurry of rice and flowers; the shoe was flung against the sharply drawn-up window.

Then Benjy's shaven face was seen a moment, bland and steely; the footman folded his arms, and with a solemn crunch the brougham wheels rolled away.