Clarice was on the balcony alone, her elbows on the rail, a hand on either side of her cheek.

Something in her attitude made him almost pity her.
'Mrs.Mallinson,' he said, 'you will probably think me intrusive, but do you think your visit really wise ?' Clarice turned towards him quickly with something of defiance in her manner.

'You are tired,' he went on, 'you want rest.

Well, an election isn't a very restful time, even for the onlooker.' Clarice did not reply for a moment, and when she did she replied with an impulsive frankness, to which his friendly tone had prompted her.

'To tell you the truth, I am not anxious to go.