"Oh, if I could!"
"Well, don't do anything in a hurry. And, oh, by the way, Flash, I believe I met an old friend of yours last night. World's a small place."
"A friend of mine? One of the people from Lulford?"
"Oh, no. Further back. At La Palèze. By George! that seems ancient history."
His kind, candid expression did not change, and yet not a detail of the girl's agitation was escaping him.
"Where did you meet him? Tell me, quick!"
"Don't look so scared. It was at a very nice house indeed, and he was looking uncommonly well."
"Did you speak to him?"
"No. He hadn't much to say. It was at the Rees house, and he's evidently épris."
"What's that?"