“That this summer, while you’re gone—”

“Well?”

“There will be news.”

“You mean from—”

“Yes,” Bella steeled herself. “As soon as I’d got you out of the way—”

Hildegarde winced; rather dreadful that she should have said that to Bella—too like what the average male critic would expect. “Did I say you, Bella? I only meant fate.”

“You were sure he would come this summer. Stay and see.”

“It’s only if I’m not here that John Galbraith will come.”

Hildegarde had a final interview with the arch culprit, Cheviot.