"Or neither?" pursued Mr. Amberley.
The hand in his moved slightly. "You will see at unmasking, Mephistopheles."
"I wonder?" said Mr. Amberley. He was aware of her gaze searching his face and smiled down at her. "A bit a mob, isn't it?" he said. "Do you think the Fountains can really know everyone here tonight?"
"Oh, but surely!"
"In these days of gate-crashing . ." murmured Mr. Amberley.
"I don't think that is done in the country," she said.
"I expect you know much more about it than I do," he agreed politely.
The music came to an end. Mr. Amberley did not join. in the clapping, but led his partner to the door. "You must let me get you something to drink," he said. He nodded towards a sofa in an alcove of the hall. "Will you wait for me there?"
The contadina appeared to consider. Then she shrugged. "Very well."
He found her seated on the sofa when he returned with two glasses. "You haven't run away," he observed, and handed her one of the glasses.