Max's eyes followed hers. "Where's Nick? Has he overslept himself?"
"He has not," said Nick, entering at the moment. "It is not a habit of his. Well, Olga, my child, how goes the world this morning?"
She turned with relief to greet him. His genial personality was wonderfully reassuring. He kissed her lightly, and took up his correspondence.
"Let me open them!" she said.
He stood by and watched her while she did it. She was very deft in all her ways, but to-day for some reason her hands were not quite so steady as usual.
Nick threw a sudden glance across at Max while he waited. "Miss Campion all right this morning?" he asked.
"Apparently," said Max, staring deliberately at a point some inches above Nick's head.
Nick pivoted round abruptly, and found Violet standing in the doorway directly behind him. He went instantly to meet her.
"Hullo, Miss Campion! You're just in time for breakfast. Come and have some!"
His tone was brisk and kindly. He took her hand and drew her forward. She submitted listlessly. Her face was white and her eyes deeply shadowed. She scarcely raised them as she advanced.