"Don't you think that an excellent reason for coming?" he asked.
This struck her as an extremely amusing remark. As always she was conscious of, and confident in, the potency of her beauty. She laughed and tapped him on the shoulder with her fan.
"I don't believe you love me," she uttered almost soundlessly, shaping the words with her lips.
"Don't you?" said John.
"Did Cecily let you in?"
"No," admitted John.
At that moment a knock fell upon the door of the room, and in answer to Mrs. Beecher Monmouth's summons, Cecily herself entered.
"I beg your pardon, madame," she said, "but the corridor door of your room is locked."
"Locked, Cecily?"
"Yes, madame."