She was smiling as she spoke. The white scarf was thrown back from her hair. The gracious womanliness of her struck Vera afresh with its charm.
She held her and looked at her. "My dear Juliet, it does me good to see you. How is Dick? And how is Columbus?"
"They are both downstairs," Juliet said, "and one is working too hard and the other not hard enough. I had to bring dear Christopher. You don't mind?"
"Of course not, my dear. I would have sent him a special invitation if I had thought. Come and take off your coat! We got in rather late or I should have been downstairs to receive you."
"Tell me how you are!" Juliet said. "I don't believe I have ever seen you looking so well."
"I haven't felt so well for years," Vera declared. "But I have promised Edward all the same to go up to town and see his pet doctor and make sure that the cure is complete. Personally I am quite sure. But Edward is such a dear old fusser. He won't be satisfied with appearances."
She laughed on an indulgent note, and Juliet smiled in sympathy.
"Well, you've given him good cause for that, haven't you? And you enjoyed the cruise? I am so glad you had good weather."
"It was gorgeous," said Vera. "I must write and tell Lord Saltash. He has given me the time of my life. Have you seen anything of him by the way?"
"Only once," said Juliet. "He came over to congratulate us. But that is some time ago. He may be at the other end of the world by this time."