"Yes, I am glad you are here. I want to talk to you. I had some important business which kept me writing here all night, and must have fallen asleep. I will go and change my things and come back to you."
He looked down at his crumpled shirt-front and disordered tie, and then moved slowly towards the door. Lady de Vaux hesitated for a moment, with a dark frown upon her face, and then laid her hand upon his arm.
"Your explanation should surely have been addressed to me, Paul," she said coldly. "Who is this young lady?"
"She is a friend of mine," Paul answered, "and——"
"I heard you call her 'Adrea,'" Lady de Vaux continued. "May I ask whether it is indeed Miss Adrea Kiros?"
"I have told you that is my name, Lady de Vaux," I answered promptly. "You have possibly heard of me."
Lady de Vaux turned her back upon both of us, and left the room without a word.