To Audrey, as the fountain of truth, he accordingly went, choosing a time between half-past two and three when she was most likely to be in. As he reached her door, it was being held open for her to go out, and she was standing in the outer hall buttoning her gloves. She drew back when she saw Ted, but escape was impossible. He saw the movement and the flash of her little white teeth as she bit her lip with annoyance.
She came forward smiling.
"Oh, is it you, Ted? As you see, I'm just going out."
"You will see me before you go?"
"I can't possibly. I've got to go and call on an uncle and aunt at the Hôtel Metropole."
"I'm very sorry. But I won't keep you more than ten minutes."
"I can't spare ten minutes. I'm late as it is, and I have to be back by half-past three. I've got an appointment."
"You've not time to get there and back. You'd better put it off."
"I can't, Ted. They're only up from Friday till Monday. Dean Craven has to preach at the Abbey to-morrow. Come again."
"I can't come again."