"Geoffrey, Geoffrey, where are you?" the voice cried.
Ralph stepped across and closed the window as Vera entered. It was quite dark outside, and Ralph hoped that Tchigorsky would see without being seen. Vera flashed a look of gentle reproach at her lover.
"How can you look me in the face after the way in which you have treated me?" she asked. "This is the first day's pleasure we have had for years, and you——"
"Did not care to leave Uncle Ralph," Geoffrey said. "He seemed so lonely that I felt I could not let him remain like this."
"Geoffrey is a good fellow," Ralph muttered.
Vera bent and kissed Geoffrey fondly. She smiled without any show of anger.
"I forgive him," she said. "Still, I did miss him. Where are you going, dear?"
"Across the terrace," Geoffrey replied. "I'll be in to supper directly. It's all ready, and there is Marion calling you. I'm coming."
Tchigorsky had crept to the window. He caught Geoffrey's eye and waved to him vigorously. It was a sign that he wanted assistance at once.