"I thought you were devoted to London," said Mrs Bablove. "What you say rather surprises me."
"I surprise myself sometimes," said Mr Carver, darkly.
A little later all rose to go.
A hansom was waiting just outside, and Mr Carver began to organise briskly.
"Will you take Miss Holmes in that cab, Teddy? It's scarcely two minutes out of your way. I'll bring Mrs Bablove in the next cab."
Mr Carver took it all for granted, and it was done as he suggested. The next cab was a taxi.
"We shall be home before them," laughed Dora as she got into the cab. "By the way, Mr Carver, what were you going to tell me about Nirvana?"
And presently Mr Carver was saying why Miss Holmes could not seem charming when Dora Bablove was present. He compared them in some detail. "I don't think you know enough about yourself," he said. "That delicious mouth of yours!"
When they reached Mrs Bablove's house Dora did not ask Mr Carver to come in. She thanked him and said good-night rather briefly. She switched on the light in the hall, ran upstairs to see that her two little boys were safely asleep, and came down to the dining-room to wait for her husband.