The bedroom door was opened, and the Russian maid looked into the sitting-room.
“Sonia,” said Mrs. Clarke rapidly in French, “some one—a man—has called and asked for me. He’s waiting in the hall. Go down and see who it is. If it’s Mr. Leith you can bring him up.”
“And if it is not Monsieur Leith?”
“Come back and tell me who it is.”
The maid came out of the bedroom, shut the door, crossed the sitting-room rather heavily on flat feet, and went out on to the landing.
“Shut the door!” Mrs. Clarke called after her.
When the sitting-room door was shut she sat waiting with her forehead drawn to a frown. She did not move till the sitting-room door was opened by the maid and a man walked in.
“Monsieur Leith,” said the maid.
And she disappeared.
“Come and sit down,” said Mrs. Clarke. “Why have you come to Pera?”