"I do. You're half woman, and half man, and half angel, and three-quarters devil."
Sylvia had been counting the attributes on her fingers.
"When I was at school," she interrupted, "they taught me it took only two halves to make a whole."
"I've learnt a lot since I left school. One thing is that you're the equivalent of any three ordinary women. Now I really am going. Queen Elizabeth, your most humble servant."
Her hand went again to the bell, but I was ready with a better suggestion.
"It would be a graceful act if you offered to show me downstairs," I said. "It'll be horribly lonely going down two great long flights all by myself."
She took my arm, led me down to the hall, and presented me with my hat and stick.
"Are you walking?" she asked as we reached the door. "If not, you may have my private taxi. Look at him." She pointed to an olive-green car at the corner of the Square. "I believe I must have made a conquest, he's always there, and whenever I'm in a hurry I can depend on him. I think he must refuse to carry any one else. It's an honour."
I ran through my loose change, and lit upon a half-sovereign, which I held conspicuously between thumb and first finger.
"He'll carry me," I said.