To-night! It must be to-night! Shall I call you a pretty name?
it's only because I couldn't bear to be found out before you tell him.' He still stroked his moustache.

His handsome face was half amused, half troubled.

At last he said: 'Very well; to-night.' Shortly after, Mutimer came into the room.
'Adela isn't up to the mark,' he said to Alice.

'She'd better have dinner by herself, I think; but she'll join us afterwards.' Brother and sister exchanged looks.
'Oh, it's only a headache or something of the kind,' he continued.
'It'll be all right soon.' And he began to talk with Rodman cheerfully, so that Alice felt it must really be all right.

She drew aside and looked into a novel.
Adela did appear after dinner, very pale and silent, but with a smile on her face.