"I was at school at Geneva a few years ago," said Sheila Melrose. "You didn't go to Mademoiselle Denise, I suppose?"
"No," said Toby briefly. "Madame Beaumonde."
"I never heard of her," said Sheila. "It must have been after I left."
Toby nodded. "I wasn't there long. I've never been anywhere long. But
I've left school now, and I'm going to do as I like."
"A very wise resolution!" commented a laughing voice behind her. "It's one of the guiding principles of my life."
All the party turned, Toby with a quick exclamation muffled at birth. Saltash, attired in a white yachting suit and looking more than usually distinguished in his own fantastic fashion, stood with his hand on the back of Toby's chair.
"Quite a gathering of old friends!" he declared, smiling impartially upon all.
General Melrose stretched a welcoming hand to him. "Hullo, Saltash! Where on earth have you sprung from? Or are you fallen straight out of the skies?"
"Like Lucifer, son of the morning!" laughed Saltash. "Well, I haven't sprung and I haven't fallen. I have simply arrived."
Toby was on her feet. "Come and sit down!" she said in a low voice.