There was a moment's silence. Bruce leant back and half shut his eyes. Madame Frabelle softly put a cushion behind his shoulder, putting a finger on her lip as she looked at Edith.
Edith suddenly got up.
'You won't think it horrid of me, Bruce? I've got to go out for a few minutes.'
'Oh no, no, no!' said Bruce. 'Certainly not. Do go, my dear girl. You'll be back to dinner?'
'Dinner? Of course. It isn't a quarter to six.'
Her eyes were bright. She looked full of elasticity and spirit again.
'I quite forgot,' she said, 'something that I promised to do for Mrs
Mitchell. And she'll be disappointed if I don't.'
'I know what it is,' said Madame Frabelle archly. 'It's about that Society for the Belgians,'—she lowered her voice—'I mean the children's lingerie!'
'That's it,' said Edith gratefully. 'Well, I'll fly—and be back as soon as I can.'
Bruce got up and opened the door for her.