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 colossal—would have been. But there've been developments—suddenly. Veronica'll have a great deal to tell you. Has it never occurred to you she might get free after all? There'll be heaps to say," she said, significantly.

"For heaven's sake!" He threw up his hands again and paced the room in agitation, stumbling over stools.

"That was why I pulled up just now," she continued. "Seemed hard, perhaps, apathetic and unsympathetic when you were talking all that about awfulness, refined irony, frustration, and things. I was thinking how soon you'd—if you only knew And then you told me I was losing my imagination."

"For which I have already begged your pardon," said Maurice, patiently.

Penelope rose from the hearthrug and threw herself on to the Chesterfield. Maurice turned to her with a goaded expression, and she regarded him with shining eyes. Then the door opened with a jerk, and Veronica entered stiffly, with a rustle of agitation.

Maurice drew back into the shadow, and