“Where is Monsieur le Comte?”

“Monsieur le Comte est couché.”

“Et Madame?”

“Madame aussi, Monsieur.”

“Then show this gentleman in.”

“Bien, Monsieur,” said the man, and made his escape. . . .

Amid an electric silence Nicholas picked up his glass and drank comfortably.

Susan was touching his arm.

“Nicholas! What are you doing?”

Her lover turned with a swift smile.