’Then you took it for granted, without any evidence, that I came here as a meddler or busybody?’

His voice was perfectly good-humoured, and Alma answered in the same tone.

’I thought there was evidence.  Mamma had been talking about her affairs, and mentioned that she had consulted you about something —­ Oh, about Mrs. Abbott.’

‘Very logical, I must say,’ remarked Rolfe, laughing.

‘I don’t think logic is my strong point.’

She sat far back in the easy chair, her head supported, her hands resting upon the chair arms.  The languor which she hardly made an effort to overcome began to invade her companion, like an influence from the air; he gazed at her, perceiving a new beauty in the half-upturned face, a new seductiveness in the slim, abandoned body.  A dress of grey silk, trimmed with black, refined the ivory whiteness of her flesh; its faint rustling when she moved affected Harvey with a delicious thrill.

‘There’s no reason, now,’ she continued, ’why we shouldn’t talk about it —­ I mean, the things you discussed with Mamma.  You imagine, I dare say, that I selfishly objected to what she was doing.  Nothing of the kind.  I didn’t quite see why she had kept it from me, that was all.  It was as if she felt afraid of my greediness.  But I’m not greedy; I don’t think I’m more selfish than ordinary people.  And I think Mamma is doing exactly what she ought; I’m very glad she felt about things in that way.’

Harvey nodded, and spoke in a subdued voice.

‘I was only consulted about one person, whom I happened to know.’

‘Yes —­ Mrs. Abbott.’

Her eyes were again fixed upon him, and he read their curiosity.  Just as he was about to speak, the servant appeared with tea.  Alma slowly raised herself, and, whilst she plied the office of hostess, Harvey got rid of the foolish hat and stick that encumbered him.  He had now no intention of hurrying away.

As if by natural necessity, they talked of nothing in particular whilst tea was sipped.  Harvey still held his cup, when at the outer door sounded a rat-tat-tat, causing him silently to execrate the intruder, whoever it might be.  Unheeding, and as if she had not heard, Alma chatted of trifles.  Harvey’s ear detected movements without, but no one entered; in a minute or two, he again breathed freely.

‘Mrs. Abbott ——­’

Alma just dropped the name, as if beginning a remark, but lapsed into silence.

‘Shall I tell you all about her?’ said Rolfe.  ’Her husband’s death left her in great difficulties; she had hardly anything.  A friend of hers, a Mrs. Langland, who lives at Gunnersbury, was very kind and helpful.  They talked things over, and Mrs. Abbott decided to take a house at Gunnersbury, and teach children; —­ she was a teacher before her marriage.’

‘No children of her own?’

’No.  One died.  But unfortunately she has the care of two, whose mother —­ a cousin of hers —­ is dead, and whose father has run away.’