A servant appeared and secured the punt.
"Is Sir Timothy back yet ?" Margaret enquired.
"Not yet, madam." She turned to Francis.
"Please go and have a whisky and soda in the smoking-room," she said, pointing to the open French windows.

"I am going to my favourite seat.
You will find me just across the bridge there." He hesitated, filled with a passionate disinclination to leave her side even for a moment.

She seemed to understand but she pointed once more to the room.
"I should like very much," she added, "to be alone for five minutes.

If you will come and find me then--please!" Francis stepped through the French windows into the smoking-room, where all the paraphernalia for satisfying thirst were set out upon the sideboard.

He helped himself to whisky and soda and drank it absently, with his eyes fixed upon the clock.