"I'm going to bed. It's late. Monsieur Gillier has gone."
"Coming!" answered Claude's voice.
Charmian retreated to the house.
As she came into the drawing-room she looked at her watch. It was barely ten o'clock. In a moment Susan Fleet entered, followed by Claude. Susan's calm eyes glanced at Charmian's face. Then she said, in her quiet, agreeable voice:
"I'm going to my room. I have two or three letters to write, and I shall read a little before going to bed. It isn't really very late, but I daresay you are tired."
She took Charmian's hand and held it for an instant. And during that instant Charmian felt much calmer.
"Good-night, Susan dear. Monsieur Gillier asked me to say good-night to you for him."
Susan did not kiss her, said good-night to Claude, and went quietly away.
"What is it?" Claude said, directly she had gone. "What's the matter, Charmian? Why did Gillier go away so early?"
"Let us go upstairs," she answered.