He tried to intercept her before she reached the door, but she was too quick for him. She went out and was about to close the door behind her when he called out:
"Please send François to me."
She nodded.
"Yes, dear, I will. Of course you need him. Why didn't I think of it before?"
She closed the door and went downstairs. It was hard to believe that he was back home. How long she had waited for this day, and, even now it had come, the void did not seem filled. There still seemed something wanting. What it was, she did not know, yet it was there.
In the dining-room she ran into Ray, who had her arms filled with magnificent American beauty roses.
"Oh, how beautiful!" cried Helen enthusiastically. "Where did you get those flowers?"
The young girl laughed. "They're a present from me and Wilbur—in honor of Kenneth's arrival. Where is he?"
"Upstairs—he's going to lie down until dinner is ready. Poor soul—he's almost dead with fatigue."
"Has he got the diamonds?"