Athena had a subtle way with her of making a man feel an intruder.
But Wantele held his ground.
"I always meant to come back in the morning," he said shortly. "No, I haven't seen Richard."
"I'm glad you've come, for Richard's worried about some tiresome letters he's had this morning."
"Is Jane with Richard?" he asked abruptly.
It was odd of General Lingard not to have come forward and shaken hands. The soldier had just nodded—that was all. He also seemed to feel the young man's presence an intrusion.
"Jane hasn't come. Didn't you know? I thought she would have written to you. She is staying a week longer with that tiresome friend of hers. There's to be an operation now, it seems, and the woman's implored Jane to stay with her till it's over. Oh, but ever so many things have happened——"
Athena put aside her work and got up. "The poor Paches have had a motor accident, and so we—I mean Richard and I—asked General Lingard to come here at once instead of waiting till the end of the week. I'm afraid he's had rather a dull time, though the Paches have very kindly allowed us to use their motor car—the car wasn't hurt in any way—" she turned to her guest and smiled. "But now that you're back, Dick, it will be all right."
She sat down again, and again bent over the embroidery frame. Each of the men looking down at her felt himself dismissed.
Together they left the room, and Dick Wantele could have laughed aloud to see General Lingard's air of discomfiture.