“Two lumps of sugar and no milk, I think that's right?” She handed me the tea-cup.

“It's like you not to have forgotten.”

“I'm a practical person,” she replied with a laugh.

Presently she said, “Tell me more about your illness—or rather your recovery. I know nothing except that you had a successful operation which all the London surgeons said was impossible. Who nursed you?”

“I had a trained nurse,” said I.

“Wasn't Madame Brandt with you?”

“Yes,” said I. “She was very good to me. In fact, I think I owe her my life.”

Hitherto the delicacy of the situation had caused me to refer to Lola no more than was necessary, and in my narrative I had purposely left her vague.

“That's a great debt,” said Eleanor.

“It is, indeed.”