Had she been other than my lady, Anthony would have felt like a beggar whose feet a queen was washing. As it was, he felt like a king.
"I knew you never meant it," he said.
"Why?"
"Because it wasn't like you."
"How could you know that?" said Valerie.
"I don't know. I suppose I guessed. I suppose…" Anthony hesitated, and the colour came into his cheeks. "I think I know you too well."
Valerie French nodded, as if she had received a reply which she knew to be correct.
"You're very fond of your dog," she said.
"He's all I've got."
"All? Haven't you a single friend?"