Grafton bowed coldly. Aloyse looked at him insolently from head to foot. “Take yourself off,” he said.
Grafton’s eyes blazed. He put out his hand to Erica. “I shall see you at luncheon to-morrow.” As Erica was about to shake hands with him, Aloyse struck his hand up.
“None of your impertinence. Be off!” he said, his weak, blond face ridiculous with rage and dust.
Grafton brought his hand down on Aloyse’s shoulder and closed his fingers. Aloyse shivered, winced, bit his lips till the blood came to crush back a howl of pain. Grafton set him to one side and released him. Then he shook hands with Erica, lifted his hat, and walked away. Aloyse and Erica stood looking after him.
“I hate him,” thought Aloyse.
“I love him,” thought Erica.
