“Rather, the darling! Sent her love to you. She’s coming round to see you to-morrow morning. That all right? I said I’d ring her up if it wasn’t.”

“Oh, quite all right! Only it’s I who ought to go to her. Are you sure she didn’t mind?”

“Not a bit. She quite understands that you want to see your own people first. Did you sleep at all this afternoon, dear?”

“I dozed. I was too happy to sleep. Tea was so glorious—with plum cake.”

“O, Lord! Don’t, don’t start rhapsodising over that cod again, darling! I can’t bear it, and I know you’re going to!”

She laughed.

“You don’t understand. It was because it was so typically English.”

“God-forsaken.”

“You can’t have a God-forsaken cod,” she said.

“How topping! Of course you can. God-forsaken cod. What a brilliant inspiration! Wish I’d thought of it.”

“You did. And it really hasn’t any sense at all.”

“None of the really funny things have. Lord, look at the time! Have you got my studs?”

“They’re in the little silver box on your dressing-table. You’ll find your dress-shirts in the second long drawer. Hurry up, won’t you?”

“’Lisbeth, you haven’t unpacked my things?”

“Yes, I have. Naturally.”

“Darling, I wish you hadn’t. You’re really most disobedient. Didn’t I expressly command you to rest?”

“Stephen, do hurry up! I did rest—and anyway what cheek to talk about your express commands!”

“Love, honour and obey,” he quoted severely.

“Oh, go along!” she begged.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Come in!” Elizabeth called, opening her jewel-case.

The door was opened slightly and a page-boy announced that Mr. and Miss Arden were in the lounge.

Elizabeth slipped a ring on her finger, and jumped up, snapping a bracelet round her arm.

“All right, I’ll come. Stephen, go and get dressed quickly! I’d no idea it was quite so late. That clock must be slow. I’m simply dying to see Auntie—and Father! Do I look all right?”

“Perfect,” he said. “Give me one kiss before you go, and I’ll be quick. Otherwise I won’t.”

“You’re idiotic,” she said, but she kissed him, hurriedly.

The Ardens were watching the lift eagerly; Elizabeth stepped out of it and almost ran towards them.

“Auntie! Father!”

There was laughter and kisses, Miss Arden’s arm about her waist, countless questions, none answered, and then more kisses.

“Let me look at you, my darling!” Miss Arden said at last, and stood back to survey her niece. She sighed, and took Elizabeth’s hand. “Oh, my dear child!”

“You’re looking well,” Lawrence remarked, with satisfaction. “Never seen you look better.”

“Oh, she looks tired!” Miss Arden cried. “I do hope you haven’t been overdoing it, dear?”