The door was opened, and Helen Bellew in evening dress stood there holding a candle in her hand.
"Who are you?
What do you want ?" The man moved into the light.
"Jaspar! You?
What on earth----" "I want to talk." "Talk?
Do you know what time it is ?" "Time--there's no such thing.

You might give me a kiss after two years.
I've been drinking, but I'm not drunk." Mrs.Bellew did not kiss him, neither did she draw back her face.

No trace of alarm showed in her ice-grey eyes.

She said: "If I let you in, will you promise to say what you want to say quickly, and go away ?" The little brown devils danced in Bellew's face.

He nodded.