Part 25 (2/2)

though they had known me for years.

' ”They liked you,” his voice was kind.

”And they all think you're very beautiful.

And you are, Alethea.

' She looked at him like a child who had pleased a grown-up.

”I'm glad you think so, Sarre.

I hope you will always be proud of me.

I shall do my best.

' He had come much closer to her.

”T do think so, and I am proud of you.

' He took her gla.s.s from her and bent to kiss her.

Probably it was the champagne which made it seem different this time,

she thought a trifle wildly.

”T think I'll go to bed,” she told him.

”It was a lovely evening--the whole day's been super.

Goodnight, Sarre.

' He stepped back, smiling a little.

”Goodnight, my dear.

' She was at the door when she turned to ask: ”Have you known Anna a

long time, Sarre?

' She almost didn't wait for his answer, for she hadn't meant to ask him that.

All that champagne.

She tried to look casual as though the answer didn't matter in the

least, so that she didn't see the look of surprise and then amus.e.m.e.nt

which swept over Sarre's calm face.

”Oh, years,” his voice was bland, 'she's a brilliant surgeon--a woman doing orthopaedics is unusual, you know--we're very old friends.

' He paused, and shot Alethea a quick hard look.

”A good thing, as we see so much of each other.

' Alethea, a little top-heavy with champagne, just stopped herself in

time from wanting to know why he hadn't chosen to marry Anna, since

they were such old friends.

Instead she said in a clear voice: ”She is a very handsome woman and it must be wonderful to be a good surgeon and striking to look at too,”

she added for good measure.

”Her clothes are lovely.

' And when Sarre didn't answer, only smiled slightly, she whisked herself through the door.

She left it open and she was almost at the top of the staircase when

she heard Sarre close it.

Alethea slept dreamlessly until Nel brought her her early morning tea,

smiling and nodding at the early morning suns.h.i.+ne which filled the room.

<script>