"You said you were delighted with the things my uncle showed you the last time you were here, and a friend has just sent him a fresh lot from Benares." He gave her an appealing look. "It struck me you might like to see them."
The blood crept up into Millicent's face, but she answered with forced calm:
"Yes; I really think I should."
"Will you give me the key to the Indian collection?" Blake asked
Challoner.
"Here it is," said the Colonel; and then turned to Mrs. Keith. "That reminds me, you haven't seen my new treasures yet. Dryhurst has lately sent me some rather good things; among others, there's a small Buddha, exquisitely carved. Shall we go and look at them?"
Mrs. Keith felt angry with him for a marplot.
"Wouldn't it be better to wait until I'm here in the daylight? If I try to examine anything closely with these spectacles, they strain my eyes."
"I've had a new lamp placed in front of the case," Challoner persisted; and Mrs. Keith found it hard to forgive him for his obtuseness.
"Very well," she said in a resigned tone; and when Millicent and Blake had gone out she walked slowly to the door with Challoner.
They were half-way up the staircase, which led rather sharply from the hall, when she stopped and grasped the banister.