‘Translated,’ said Dikon, ‘it means that they’re burning their guts out for you to perform. I’m sure, sir, you’d like me to decline in the same grand style.’

‘Who said I was going to decline?’ Gaunt demanded. ‘My compliments to this old gentleman, and I should be delighted to appear. I must decide what to give them.’

‘You could fell me with a feather,’ said Dikon to Barbara after early dinner. ‘I can’t imagine what’s come over the man. As a general rule platform performances are anathema to him. And at a little show like this!’

‘Everything that’s happening’s so marvellous,’ said Barbara, ‘that I for one can’t believe it’s true.’

Dikon rubbed his nose and stared at her.

‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ Barbara demanded.

‘I didn’t know I was,’ said Dikon hastily.

‘You’re thinking I shouldn’t be happy,’ she said with a sudden return to her owlish manner, ‘because of Mr Questing and ruin staring us in the face.’

‘No, no. I assure you that I’m delighted. It’s only…’

‘Yes?’

‘It’s only that I hope it’s going to last.’

‘Oh.’ She considered him for a moment and then turned white. ‘I’m not thinking about that. I don’t believe I mind so very much. You see, I’m not building on anything. I’m just happy.’

He read in her eyes the knowledge that she had betrayed herself. To forestall, if he could, the hurt that her pride would suffer when it recovered from the opiate Gaunt had administered, Dikon said: ‘But you can build on looking very nice tonight. Are you going to wear the new dress?’

Barbara nodded. ‘Yes. I didn’t change before dinner because of the washing-up. Huia wants to get off. But that’s not what I mean about being happy…’

He cut in quickly. She must not be allowed to tell him the true reason for her bliss. ‘Haven’t you an idea who sent it to you?’

‘None. Honestly. You see,’ said Barbara conclusively, ‘we don’t know anyone in New Zealand well enough. You’d have to be a great friend, almost family, wouldn’t you, to give a present like that? That’s what’s so puzzling.’

Mr Questing appeared from the dining-room in all the glory of a dinner jacket, a white waistcoat and his postprandial cigar. As far as anybody at the Springs knew, he had not been invited to the concert, but evidently he meant to take advantage of its new and public character.

‘What’s all this I hear about a new dress?’ he asked genially.

‘I shall be late,’ said Barbara, and hurried into the house.