"I hadn't told her I was in love with her."
"Don't tell me she didn't know, for all that," was the unbelieving reply.
"Well, well.... There it is and we must make the best of it. You try to make the best of things too, my dear. Shall we go in?"
Whether I had done Julia any great service in Jennie's opinion was doubtful. I had at any rate given Jennie something else to think of. And that was something.
Contrary to my expectations, I slept immediately and deeply that night. It was nine o'clock in the morning before I awoke, half-past when I descended. I found Madge in the salon.
"I say, what's become of Julia?" she asked. "Though I don't see how you could very well know seeing you've only just this moment come down."
A maid was clearing away the petit déjeuner.
"Madam," she said.
"What is it, Ellen?"
"Miss Oliphant left word she'd be back at half-past eleven."