Her arms were round his neck in a moment. "Piers, thank you for your music, but—but—"
"Good-night, dear!" said Piers again gently, but with obvious decision.
"Good-night!" said Jeanie at once.
She would have passed out instantly, but Avery paused, detaining her.
Her eyes were raised steadily to her husband's face. "I will say good-night, too," she said. "I am spending the night with Jeanie. She is not used to sleeping alone, and—the storm may come back."
She was white to the lips as she said it. She looked as if she would faint.
"Oh, but—" began Jeanie, "I don't mind really. I—"
With a brief, imperious gesture Piers silenced her for the second time. He looked over her head, straight into Avery's eyes for a long, long second.
Then: "So be it!" he said, and with ironical ceremony he bowed her out.