"You seem to have travelled a good deal."
"We lived on the Continent ever since I grew up. This time last year we were at Homburg."
"I wonder if you met my cousins, Sir Ellis and Lady Byng? They go there every season."
"Oh, yes, I used to go motoring with them, and played golf with their daughter Eva; she is such a nice girl. We were great friends."
For the moment Verona had forgotten herself and her surroundings. She was no longer a Eurasian, patronised by the wife of her father's employer, but one English woman talking to another on an agreeable equality.
"I'm sure you had happy times at Homburg," said Mrs. Lepell, "and of course you went to the Opera at Frankfort?"
"Yes, constantly; we used to rush over on a motor car."
"And here you come down to bullock carts! Well, if we're not progressive, we're at least picturesque. I hope you brought out a few of the last new books, as well as the last new fashions?"
"Yes, I've a fairly good supply, and all this month's magazines."
"Then I shall certainly come and borrow from you; I am a ravenous reader, and find it difficult to keep myself going in books. At present I am starving and reduced to back numbers."