“I'm going now,” she said. “Would you mind telling Leila that I found I couldn't stop?” She made towards the divan to get her hat. When she had put it on, she found him standing just in front of her.
“Noel-if you don't mind me calling you that?”
“Not a bit.”
“Don't go; I'm going myself.”
“Oh, no! Not for worlds.” She tried to slip past, but he took hold of her wrist.
“Please; just one minute!”
Noel stayed motionless, looking at him, while his hand still held her wrist. He said quietly:
“Do you mind telling me why you came here?”
“Oh, just to see Leila.”
“Things have come to a head at home, haven't they?”