Darrell came forward slowly, "Oh, put down those heavy things," he said.
Lord Watergate, for it was he, went over to the fire-place and stood there warming his hands.
"May I trouble you to have a cab called?"
Gertrude spoke in her most dignified manner.
"Certainly. But won't you come to the fire?"
Darrell rang a bell which stood on the mantelshelf, and indicated to Gertrude a chair by the screen.
Gertrude, however, preferred to stand, and for some moments the three people on the tiger-skin hearthrug stared into the fire in silence.
Then Darrell said in an offhand manner: "Miss Lorimer has been kind enough to photograph my 'Grand Canal' for me."
Lord Watergate, looking up suddenly, met Gertrude's glance. For a moment a puzzled expression came into his eyes, then changed to one of recognition and recollection. After some hesitation, he said: