Instinctively, and without knowing her motive, she answered in the same way, conscious that it was his wish.
'I am very glad to see you back,' she said.
Then he turned to Hicks, and shook hands with more warmth than that ethereal being had expected.
'You see, Hicks,' he said, 'I cannot resist flying at once to pay my respects at the shrine of Art—only arrived in London this afternoon, and here I am in full war-paint, with a flower in my coat and my heart in my eyes. What pictures have I to admire? You may as well tell me.'
Hicks laughed in his semi-sad way, and mentioned a few pictures of note, which were carefully remembered by his hearer. Then Trist turned to Brenda and offered her his arm.
'Will you come,' he said, 'and have some tea or an ice, or something?'
Brenda appeared to hesitate for a moment, then gave in with that reluctant alacrity which is to be observed when a lady is making a sacrifice of her own inclination.
As they moved away together through the crowded room there was a sudden hush, and succeeding it a louder buzz of expectant conversation. Trist looked over the heads of the people towards the little flower-bedecked platform at the end of the room.
'Ah!' he said; 'Crozier is going to sing. Shall we wait? It is a pity to miss Sam Crozier.'
Nevertheless he made no attempt to stop, and they passed through the doorway into a smaller gallery, which was almost deserted.