"Yes; you may." Piers' face was perfectly serious.

"Are you really married ?" he asked.
The level brows went up a little.

"I have been a widow for six years," said Avery very quietly.
He stared at her in surprise unfeigned.

"Six years!" She replied in the same quiet voice.

"I lost my husband when I was twenty-two." "Great Heavens above!" ejaculated Piers.