‘You’re mad!’ Chrissie ejaculated at last, the words coming in a stifled fashion from between her pale lips.

‘You’ve told me that so often that I’d begun to believe it, but François says I’m not mad. He says it’s just that I’m not suited to the type of life I’ve been leading. He’s right, too, Chrissie, for I always hated it – you know I have.

‘I want a home of my own. I shan’t be lazy when I have that. I’ll work for François, work to keep his house nice and help him in his restaurant. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for him – nothing in the whole world.’

‘Obviously, if you are so besotted as to think you can throw up the Rajah and all his money for one of his servants – this common cook of whom you know nothing.’

‘I know that François wants to marry me,’ Stella said with a strangely effective dignity. ‘You mustn’t say unkind things about him, Chrissie, for he wants to do what he can for you. I know that you’ll be angry at my leaving you, but François has promised that he’ll send you some money every month. I have forgotten how much he said, but it is about two pounds a week in English money.

‘You can manage on that, Chrissie, even if you don’t get any work. We’ve had less than that for both of us many a time, and besides, I want you to have all the jewellery the Rajah has given me and all the money you’ve saved. He’ll think I’ve taken it with me, so he’s not likely to ask for it back. You keep it, Chrissie, it’ll take you back to London, and if you send me your address, François will post you the money every month. He’s promised me that.’

‘You’ve got everything arranged, haven’t you?’ Chrissie snarled. ‘Well, you're not going! Make no mistake about that, my girl, you’re not going.’

‘Yes, Chrissie, I am,’ Stella said quietly.

She put a piece of paper down on the dressing table.

‘There is the address of François’ home. It is in the old town of Monaco and I’m going there now. I think we’ll be married early tomorrow morning. Afterwards he’s taking me somewhere where we can be alone. We’re going on a honeymoon, Chrissie, before François looks for another job.’

Her eyes were shining again, then she crossed the room a little nearer the bed.