They returned to the house, Philippa walking between the two men, caressing Ariadne, who acknowledged the endearments with her usual enthusiasm.
Dinner was all ready for them in the little room by the bar: a saucer was set beside Philippa's chair for Ariadne; Linette went upstairs to summon Sister Eila, and returned with word that she would be down after a while, and that dinner was not to wait for her.
Warner said to Halkett:
"How did you feel when you were falling, old chap?"
"Not very comfortable," returned the other, smiling.
"You thought it was all up with you?"
"On the contrary, I realized it was all down."
Philippa smiled faintly.
"You didn't expect to come out alive?" inquired Warner.
"I didn't think of that. Bolton, my pilot, said: 'I'm trying to make the river, sir.' I was attempting to find out how badly we were damaged. It seemed an age; but we both were busy."