"War? I see. Open war. Very well. Then we shall get to Venice for Easter."
Kitty fell back.
"What do you mean?"
"Very plain, isn't it? But what does it matter? Venice will be delightful, and there are plenty of good men to take my place."
"Lord Parham would pass you over?"
"Not at all. But I can't work in public with a man whom I must cut in private. It wouldn't amuse me. So if you're decided, Kitty, write to Danieli's for rooms."
He lit his cigarette, and went out with a perfect nonchalance and good-temper.
Kitty was to have gone to a ball. She countermanded her maid's preparations, and sent the maid to bed. In due time all the servants went to bed, the front door being left on the latch as usual for Ashe's late return. About midnight a little figure slipped into the child's nursery. The nurse was fast asleep. Kitty sat beside the child, motionless, for an hour, and when Ashe let himself into the house about two o'clock he heard a little rustle in the hall, and there stood Kitty, waiting for him.
"Kitty, what are you about?" he said, in pretended amazement. But in reality he was not astonished at all. His life for months past had been pitched in a key of extravagance and tumult. He had been practically certain that he should find Kitty in the hall.