'I see; he's your confidant, and you're his. Dear Vincy. By the way, he asked me last night to go to a tea-party at his flat next week. He was going to ask one or two other kindred spirits—as I think they're called. To see something—some collection. Including you, of course?'
'I shall certainly go,' said Edith, 'whether he asks me or not.'
Aylmer seemed to be trying to leave. He nearly got up once or twice and sat down again.
'Well, I shall see you tonight,' he said. 'At eight.'
'Yes.'
'What shall you wear, Mrs Ottley?'
'Oh, I thought, perhaps, my mauve chiffon? What do you advise?' she smiled.
'Not what you wore last night?'
'Oh no.'
'It was very jolly. I liked it. Er—red, wasn't it?'