They all got up together, as if some common mechanism controlled their movements. Diva scuttled away to the other table, without even waiting to be paid the sum of one and threepence which she had won from Elizabeth.

‘I’ll see how they’re getting on here,’ she said. ‘Why they’re just adding up, too.’

Elizabeth sat where she was and counted out fifteen pennies.

That would serve Diva right for going at ten minutes to seven. Then she saw that the others had got up in a hurry, for Susan Wyse said to Mrs Bartlett, ‘I’ll pay you later on,’ and her husband held up her sable coat for her.

‘Diva, your winnings,’ said Elizabeth, piling up the coppers.

Diva whisked round, and instead of resenting this ponderous discharge of the debt, received it with enthusiasm.

‘Thank you, Elizabeth,’ she said. ‘All coppers: how nice! So useful for change. Good night, dear. Thanks ever so much.’

She paused a moment by the door, already open, by which Georgie was standing.

‘Then you’ll call for me at twenty minutes to eight,’ she said to him in the most audible whisper, and Georgie with a nervous glance in Elizabeth’s direction gave a silent assent. Diva vanished into the night where Major Benjy had gone. Elizabeth rose from her deserted table.

‘But you’re not all going too?’ she said to the others. ‘So early yet.’

Mr Wyse made a profound bow.

‘I regret that my wife and I must get home to dress,’ he said. ‘But one of the most charming evenings of bridge I have ever spent, Miss Mapp. So many thanks. Come along, Susan.’

‘Delicious bridge,’ said Susan. ‘And those caviare sandwiches. Good night, dear. You must come round and play with us some night soon.’

‘A grand game of bridge, Mistress Mapp,’ said the Padre. ‘Ah, wee wifie’s callin’ for me. Au reservoir.’

Next moment Elizabeth was alone. Georgie had followed on the heels of the others, closing the door very carefully, as if she had fallen asleep. Instead of that she hurried to the window and peeped out between the curtains. There were three or four of them standing on the steps while the Wyses got into the Royce, and they dispersed in different directions like detected conspirators, as no doubt they were.