The sense of home-coming grew stronger.

The easy, reminiscent talk--reminiscent of pleasant days--the familiar room, and, perhaps, her favourite brand of champagne, softened her till her smiles came easily.

Moreover it was delightful to be amused again; and it was borne suddenly in upon her that the months she had been living in hiding had been tiresome, boring months, from the point of view of life, utterly wasted months.

Again and again she looked at the duke as if she saw him for the first time.
Plainly she was amending her opinion of him.
She yielded readily to the entreaties of the two men to stop and drink her coffee and smoke her cigarette with them.

The Honourable John Ruffin talked on; she laughed several times.