He turned away towards the house, but stopped abruptly as Violet suddenly sauntered forth. She was yawning as she came. "Good people, pray excuse me! I'm always sleepy after a motor-run. What has become of the dear major, Allegro? You haven't banished him already!" "Did you think he was going to live here?" said Olga, with a very unwonted touch of asperity. "I expect he will, dear, now he knows I'm here." Violet subsided into the vacant chair with a languid smile at Nick who offered it to her. Her eyes were wonderfully bright, but the lids were heavy. "I'm horribly sleepy still," she said. "Give me some tea, quick, to wake me up! Max, I haven't the energy to amuse you, so you may consider yourself excused." "Many thanks!" said Max. "I am going to give myself the pleasure of waiting upon you." "Nick can do that," said Olga. "Do go and get a rest!" "My dear, if you show yourself so anxious to be rid of him, he'll stay," protested Violet. "Haven't you discovered that yet? You should display an elegant indifference, a pray-stay-if-you've-a-mind-to-but-don't- imagine-that-I-want-you kind of attitude. There are not many men who can face that for long." She broke off to yawn. "No, thanks. Nothing to eat. I'm too sleepy. Well, Nick, have you settled the affairs of the nation satisfactorily?" "On the contrary. The nation is trying to settle mine," said Nick. "Oh, really! What more could anyone want you to do?" "I'm specially qualified for many things, it seems," said Nick modestly. "What has Hunt-Goring been here for?" "Managed to break his thumb," said Max. "Yes, and stayed philandering all the afternoon," chimed in Violet. "How did you manage to get rid of him, Allegro? He wouldn't go for me." "Dr. Wyndham came back early and sent him home in the car," said Olga, with a slight effort. "I was bored to death with him," declared Violet. "I simply deserted him at last because I couldn't keep my eyes open. Give me my _tea strong, please_, or I shall fall _asleep again_ under your eyes." "Do you mind if I smoke?" said Max. "Not in the least; quite delighted." He offered her his cigarette-case. "P'raps you'll join me." "No, thanks. I've been smoking all the afternoon." She stretched up her arms behind her head; they were bare to the elbow, soft and white and rounded. Her eyelids began to droop a little more. She snuggled down into the chair, plainly on the verge of slumber. And in that moment Olga looked at Max. He was intently watching the girl, so intently that he was oblivious of everything else; and into her mind, all-unbidden, there flashed again the memory of the green dragon-fly--the monster of the stream--darting upon the little scarlet moth. It sent a curious revulsion of feeling through her. For the moment she felt physically sick.