I'm going to have a terrible turn--down, down, down!' She laughed, and offered her hand.

He held it very lightly, looking at her with his blue eyes, which indeed expressed a profound melancholy.
'Thank you,' he murmured.

'Thank you for your great kindness.' And thereupon he opened the front door for her.

Without another look Monica went quickly down the stairs; she appreciated his motive for not accompanying her to the exit.
* * * * * * * * * * Before entering the house she had managed to conceal the sheet of music which she was carrying.

But, happily, Widdowson was still absent.