'What must be her thoughts ?' she asked herself.
She remained at the window until the party from the Club emerged again from the passage and turned towards the hotel.
Clarice heard her husband's voice asking where Drake was, and what in the world was the matter with him.

Captain Le Mesurier replied, and the reply rang boisterously.

'He's behind.

He's a bit unstrung, I fancy, and reason enough too, after all his work, eh?
You see, Drake's not in the habit of taking holidays,' and the Captain grew hilarious over his allusion.
Across the street Clarice saw the light dress flutter and move abruptly.
It was evident that Lady Cranston had heard and understood the words.
Drake followed some few minutes later, and alone.

He walked slowly to the hotel with an air of utter weariness, as though the springs of his activity had been broken.