At this moment the door opened and Charmian came in, wrapped in furs, her face covered by a veil. When she saw Heath with her mother she pushed the veil up rather languidly.
"Oh, Mr. Heath! We haven't seen you for ages. What have you been about?"
"Nothing in particular."
"Haven't you?"
"Take off that thick coat, Charmian, and come and talk to us."
"Shall I?"
She unbuttoned the fur slowly. Claude helped her to take it off. As she emerged he thought, "How slim she is!" He had often before looked at girls and wondered at their slimness, and thought that it seemed part of their mystery. It both attracted and repelled him.
"Are you talking of very interesting things?" she asked, coming toward the fire.
"I hear you are going for a cruise with Mrs. Shiffney," said Claude, uneasily.
"I believe I am. It would be rather nice to get out of this weather. But you don't mind it."