Eric drove with the Maitlands to Eaton Place and took Ivy on in their car to his flat.

“Thank goodness! That’s over!,” he exclaimed, when they were alone.

“Were you afraid there’d be a scene?,” she asked.

“There were—several, only you were spared them. I suppose it was inevitable. But in five days’ time—”

“It’s only four and a half now.”

CHAPTER TEN

THE WANDERING OF ISHMAEL

“It is not good that the man should be alone...”

Genesis: II.18.