"No," Crowther spoke slowly, as though considering his words. "Someone I know lives there, that's all."
"Someone you know?" Piers stood still. He looked at Crowther sharply through the dimness.
"I don't suppose you have ever met her, lad," said Crowther quietly. "From what I know of society in the old country you wouldn't move in the same circle. But as I have promised myself to visit her, it seems better to mention the fact."
"Why shouldn't you mention it? What is her name?" Piers spoke quickly, in the imperious fashion habitual to him when not quite at his ease.
Crowther hesitated. He seemed to be debating some point with himself.
At length, "Her name," he said slowly, "is Denys."
Piers made a sudden movement that passed unexplained. There fell a few moments of silence. Then, in a voice even more measured than Crowther's, he spoke.
"As it happens, I have met her. Tell me what you know about her,—if you don't mind."
Again Crowther hesitated.
"Go on," said Piers.