The little man came up smiling and with an outstretched hand.
"There's no penalty for separating husband and wife, is there,
Mrs. Chilcote? How are you, Chilcote?" He turned from one to
the other with the quick, noiseless manner that always
characterized him.
Loder turned aside to hide his vexation, but Eve greeted their
host with her usual self-possessed smile.
"You are exempt from all penalties to-night," she said. Then
she turned to greet the members of his party who had strolled
across from the window in his wake.
As she moved aside Bramfell looked at Loder. "Well, Chilcote,
have you dipped into the future yet?" he asked, with a laugh.
Loder echoed the laugh but said nothing. In his uncertainty
at the question he reverted to his old resource of silence.
Bramfell raised his eyebrows. "What!" he said. "Don't tell
me that my sister-in-law hasn't engaged you as a victim."
Then he turned in Eve's direction. "You've heard of our new
departure, Mrs. Chilcote?"
Eve looked round from the lively group by which she was
surrounded.
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