Leonie answered mechanically, as though she were repeating a lesson and had not heard one word of the man's pleading.
"What have you found out? And what is missing?"
"I have found the woman who was your ayah."
Leonie pulled her hands away, and pushing the hair off her forehead, sat quite still listening, but not hearing the music as it floated through the night air, watching without seeing the couples as they strolled about the grounds.
And then she answered, but without any real interest, although very distinctly, shivering slightly as the man put the wrap over her bare shoulders.
"Have you? And who is she, really? Of course I know her name—but—but what do you know about her? I have had no answer to my letters since I've been out here, is the poor thing still working?"
"She's—not exactly working for a living, dear, and she is—is——"
He stopped short with a world of perplexity in his eyes, then went on as slowly and mechanically as Leonie had done.
"Perhaps, dear, I—I had—better not say any more until—until I have everything quite clear."
And he drew his hand sharply across his eyes as Leonie sighed.