She opened her eyes. "You think I wouldn't dare?"
He looked back at her with composure. "It is more a matter of caring than daring, my dear," he said. "Your heart wouldn't be in it. But you are afraid of me all the same."
She coloured and turned the subject. "When is Sir Kersley going to make you his partner?"
"Directly I return," said Max.
"And when will that be?"
He considered a moment. "I expect to reach England in a month from now."
"Max!" She sat up again quickly. "Oh, you're not going so soon!" she said.
He put his arm round her shoulders. "But you will be coming back yourself in April. Nick told me so."
"In April! But that's æons away!" protested Olga.
His eyes looked down into hers, and the old gleam which once she had taken for mockery hovered there. Her own eyes flickered and sank before it. There was something quick and fiery in it that she could not meet.