And the look which the doctor, singing lustily, had turned upon her, held a humorousness that Char felt no disposition to reflect in her own gaze. She was quite aware that neither of them had forgotten the doctor's peroration delivered on the night of her decision to leave Plessing, and the recollection of it still, almost unconsciously, coloured all her official dealings with him.
It was therefore with surprise that she received an announcement from Miss Jones one evening: "Dr. Prince is downstairs and wants to see you for a moment."
"At this hour? Quite impossible! It's nearly seven, and I have innumerable letters to sign."
Grace hesitated, and then said, very gently: "I think he's just come from Plessing."
Char glanced at her sharply.
"Ask him to come up, then."
Sudden apprehension had taken possession of her, and increased at the sight of the doctor's kind bearded face, with its lines of fatigue and anxiety.
"What is it, Dr. Prince?"
"Could you spare me a few moments?"
"Certainly. Miss Jones, will you—"