Disturbed in her formless reverie, an aimless groping through a bewildering maze of emotions but vaguely apprehended, she started up, faced round and saw Lanyard, topcoat over arm and hat in hand, about to open the door.
“Monsieur!”
He looked back, coolly quizzical. “Madame?”
“What are you doing?”
“Taking my unobtrusive departure, madame la princesse, by the way I came.”
“But—wait—come back!”
He shrugged agreeably, released the door-knob, and stood before her, or rather over her—for he was the taller by a good five inches—looking down, quietly at her service.
“I haven’t thanked you.”
“For what, madame? For treating myself to an amusing adventure?”
“It has cost you dear!”