"I borrowed Miranda's car."
Miranda's legs gave under her and she sank down with a moan in a chair.
"But Miranda denies that she lent it," said Sir Chichester in exasperation.
"I asked her to deny it."
"Why?"
Joan's eyes for one swift instant swept round to Harry Luttrell. She swayed. Then she answered:
"I can't tell you."
Sir Chichester rose to his feet and tore his sheet of foolscap across.
"God bless my soul!" he said to himself rather than to any of that company. "God bless my soul!" He moved away from the table. "I think I'll go and see Millie. Yes! I'll consult with Millie," and he ascended the stairs heavily, a very downcast and bewildered man. It seemed as though old age had suddenly found him out, and bowed his shoulders and taken the spring from his limbs. Something of this he felt himself, for he was heard to mutter as he passed along the landing to his wife's sitting-room:
"I am not the man I was. I feel difficulties more"; and so he passed from sight.