"I was thinking of Stephen's hanky."
"I wasn't. Thanks, Stephen. Do you want it back?"
"Not particularly. Come over to the fire, and steam off!"
She obeyed, rejecting various pieces of helpful advice proffered by Maud and Paula. Stephen held out a plate of small cakes. "Take one. Always fortify yourself against coming ordeals."
She looked round, satisfying herself that Roydon, at the other end of the long room, was out of earshot, and said in an anguished undertone: "Stephen, it's about a prostitute!"
"What is?" he asked, interested. "Not this misbegotten play?"
She nodded, shaken with inward laughter. Stephen looked pleased for the first time that day. "You don't mean it! Won't Uncle enjoy himself! I meant to go away, to write mythical letters. I shan't now. I wouldn't miss this for a fortune."
"For God's sake, behave decently!" she begged. "It's going to be ghastly!"
"Nonsense, my girl! A good time is going to be had by all."
"Stephen, if you're unpleasant to the poor silly young ass, I shall have a shot at murdering you!"