Her taste in perfumes was obviously unaltered.
"Ellen!" he exclaimed.
"Well ?" she replied.
As a monosyllabic start to a conversation, Ellen's "Well ?" created difficulties.

Instead of his demanding an explanation, she was doing it.

Burton was conscious that his opening was not brilliant.
"Why, this is quite a surprise!" he said.

"I had no idea you were here." "Dare say not," she answered.

"Didn't know I was coming myself till I found myself on the doorstep.