‘That is a good thing,’ smiled the father. ‘You see you are very welcome here among us.’

Gudrun only looked into his face with dark-blue, warm, shy eyes. She was unconsciously carried away by her own power.

‘And you look as if you came home in every possible triumph,’ Mr Crich continued, holding her hand.

‘No,’ she said, glowing strangely. ‘I haven’t had any triumph till I came here.’

‘Ah, come, come! We’re not going to hear any of those tales. Haven’t we read notices in the newspaper, Gerald?’

‘You came off pretty well,’ said Gerald to her, shaking hands. ‘Did you sell anything?’