"You've married?"
"Yes, why shouldn't I? And, unlike you, I'm not ashamed of my married name, or of my husband's. By the way, my love, you must remember my husband."
"Remember him?"
"Of course you must. He remembers you quite well. He was a friend of your husband's."
"A friend of my husband?"
"Rather. They were pals--thick as thieves. Darcy knew Robert Champion long before you did."
"Darcy?"
"That's my husband's Christian name. You can call him by it if you like, though you don't want me to call you by yours. But then I'm more open-minded, perhaps, than you are, and open-hearted too."
"Be so good as to tell me why you have come here."
The woman took a handkerchief from the bag made of steel beads which was suspended from her waist; opening it out she twiddled it between the white-gloved fingers of either hand. Miss Arnott immediately became conscious of the odour of some strong perfume.