"Who are they?"
"Oh! nobody—special. Friends——"
"Then if they aren't special put them off. Roddy dear, I beg you——"
"No, Rachel, I can't——"
"Well—you might——" For a moment it seemed that she would be angry. Then suddenly she smiled, shrugged her shoulders—at last, moved across and touched the violets; then, with a little gesture, bent down and kissed him.
"Well, my dear, of course you will have your way. But am I to be allowed to come or are these mysterious friends of yours too private—too secret?"
"Not a bit of it. I want you to come."
"I'll go and take my things off. I hope they'll come soon; I'm dying for tea, I've had such a tiring day, and last night——"
"How was last night? You haven't had time to tell me."
She was by the door, but she turned and faced him. "Oh! I was so silly. The weather upset me and I went and fainted at Lady Carloes'."