Elsie French noticed the _expertise_ of her talk; the intellectual development it implied; the passion of will which accompanied it.

"To the dollar, all things are possible"-- one might have phrased it so.
The soft September air came in through the open windows, from a garden flooded with western sun.

Suddenly through the subdued talk which filled the drawing-room--each group in it avoiding the other--the sound of a motor arriving made itself heard.
"Heavens! who on earth knows we're here ?" said Barnes, looking up.
For they had only been camping a week in the house, far too busy to think of neighbours.

They sat expectant and annoyed, reproaching each other with not having told the butler to say "Not at home." Lady Barnes's attitude had in it something else--a little anxiety; but it escaped notice.

Steps came through the hall, and the butler, throwing open the door, announced-- "Mrs.Fairmile." Roger Barnes sprang to his feet.