She replied, as usual, very briefly. The suggestion was of thoughts too deep for words and the tone whimsical. She ended by making a special reference to the cake and said that on this occasion Cooky, if that were possible, had excelled herself and she called attention to the decorations.

There was a round of applause, during which Gantry, Pinky, Bertie and Warrender edged in through the far doorway. Miss Bellamy was about to utter her peroration, but before she could do so, Old Ninn loudly intervened. ‘What’s a cake without candles?’ said Old Ninn.

A handful of guests laughed, nervously and indulgently. The servants looked scandalized and apprehensive.

‘Fifty of them,’ Old Ninn proclaimed. ‘Oh, wouldn’t they look lovely!’ And broke into a disreputable chuckle.

Miss Bellamy took the only possible action. She topped Old Ninn’s lines by snatching up the ritual knife and plunging it into the heart of the cake. The gesture, which may have had something of the character of a catharsis, was loudly applauded.

The Press photographers’ lamps flashed.

The ceremony followed its appointed course. The cake was cut up and distributed. Glasses were refilled and the guests began to talk again at the tops of their voices. It was time for her to open the presents which had already been deposited on a conveniently placed table in the drawing-room. When that had been done they would go and the party would be over. But it would take a considerable time and all her resources. In the meantime, there was Old Ninn, purple-faced, not entirely steady on her pins and prepared to continue her unspeakable act for the benefit of anyone who would listen to her.

Miss Bellamy made a quick decision. She crossed to Old Ninn, put her arm about her shoulders and, gaily laughing, led her towards the door into the hall. In doing so she passed Warrender, Pinky, Bertie and Timon Gantry. She ignored them, but shouted to Monty Marchant that she was going to powder her nose. Charles was in the doorway. She was obliged to stop for a moment. He said under his breath: ‘You’ve done a terrible thing.’ She looked at him with contempt.

‘You’re in my way. I want to go out.’

‘I can’t allow you to go on like this.’

‘Get out!’ she whispered and thrust towards him. In that overheated room her scent engulfed him like a fog.

He said loudly: ‘At least don’t use any more of that stuff. At least don’t do that. Mary, listen to me!’

‘I think you must be mad.’

They stared at each other. He stood aside and she went out taking Old Ninn with her. In the hall she said: ‘Ninn, go to your room and lie down. Do you hear me!’

Old Ninn looked her fully in the face, drew down the corners of her mouth and, keeping a firm hold on the banister, plodded upstairs.