"Yes?" he said, lifting his hat. "I am Mr. Matthias—yes—"
"Mrs. Marbridge would like to speak to you."
His gaze veered quickly in the direction indicated by her brief nod. He saw Venetia waiting, and immediately went to her, in his surprise forgetful of the woman who had accosted him. This last moved slowly in the other direction and sat down out of earshot.
"This is awfully good of you, Venetia," he said, bending over her hand. "I didn't see you, of course—was thinking of something else—"
"But I was thinking of you," she said. "I've been wanting to see you for a long time, Jack."
"Surely Helena could have told you where to find me...."
"I knew we'd run across one another, somehow, somewhere, sometime—today or tomorrow, without fail. So I was content to do without the offices of Helena. Do sit down. I want so much to talk to you."
"Most completely yours to command," he said lightly, and took the place beside her.
But his heart was on his lips and in his eyes, and Venetia was far from blind.
"Then tell me about yourself," she asked. "It's been so long since I've had any news!"