This was received in silence. There was an ugly, mocking persistence in the small, beautiful figure of the short-haired girl, as she stood near Gerald.

‘Are you staying in town long?’ she asked.

‘Tonight only.’

‘Oh, only tonight. Are you coming over to speak to Julius?’

‘Not tonight.’

‘Oh very well. I’ll tell him then.’ Then came her touch of diablerie. ‘You’re looking awf’lly fit.’

‘Yes — I feel it.’ Gerald was quite calm and easy, a spark of satiric amusement in his eye.

‘Are you having a good time?’