She went down to dinner—in the huge hall full of armchairs and cushions and antlers and comfort St. John stood with his back to the fire smoking a cigarette which he threw into the grate when he saw her (St. John invariably threw away his cigarette when you came into the room and then asked your permission to light a new one. In her mind's eye Ariadne always saw him opening the door for his wife after a violent scene with her).
"My dear," she said, "what a divine house."
"The wing you are sleeping in was built by the fifth Lord....
"The staircase was designed by....
"The mantelpieces in the drawing room....
"After dinner I will show you...."
Dinner was announced.
She tucked her hand under his arm.
"Are you going to take me in to dinner, St. John?"
"Of course," he smiled at her.