Dick smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
'Your blood be upon your own head,' he answered.
'If I perish, I perish.'
And so it came about that when Alec had been ten minutes in Julia's cosy sitting-room, Lucy was announced. Julia went up to her, greeting her effusively to cover the awkwardness of the moment. Alec grew very pale, but made no sign that he was disconcerted. Only Dick was troubled. He was obviously at a loss for words, and it was plain to see that he was out of temper.
'I'm so glad you were able to come,' said Julia, in order to show Alec that she had been expecting Lucy.
Lucy gave him a rapid glance, and the colour flew to her cheeks. He was standing up and came forward with outstretched hand.
'How do you do?' he said. 'How is Lady Kelsey?'
'She's much better, thanks. We've been to Spa, you know, for her health.'
Julia's heart beat quickly. She was much excited at this meeting; and it seemed to her strangely romantic, a sign of the civilisation of the times, that these two people with raging passions afire in their hearts, should exchange the commonplaces of polite society, Alec, having recovered from his momentary confusion was extremely urbane.
'Somebody told me you'd gone abroad,' he said. 'Was it you, Dick? Dick is an admirable person, a sort of gazetteer for the world of fashion.'