At once the tension was relaxed. Drooping forms resumed an erect carriage, the roses bloomed again in the pale cheeks of the women. There was a flutter, a stir. They all moved away from the refuge which had been so welcome, and now had become unbearable. In the hall they encountered the Colonel, cool and collected, as if he were on parade, Mrs L'Estrange fluttering and full of protestations. "Oh, my poor Stella! I have been distracted about you. Why did you not follow us? I thought you were close behind us all the time, till we got to one of these abominable cellars, and looked back to find you were missing." The Colonel pulled at his moustache a little nervously. "I shall never forgive myself, Miss Keane, not to have assured myself you were with us at the start. I would have come back to search for you, but Mrs L'Estrange was in such a nervous state I could not leave her." Miss Keane answered him very coldly, and to her cousin she did not vouchsafe any reply. "Please do not apologise. It was a question of _sauve qui peut_. Fortunately, I found some kind friends who took compassion on a forlorn damsel, shaking and terror-stricken." She turned to Mrs L'Estrange. "Mr Esmond is, of course, an old friend. But you do not know Mr Spencer who got to me first." Mrs L'Estrange was quite equal to the occasion; she extended her perfectly-gloved hand with an air of effusive cordiality. "A thousand thanks to you both. My darling Stella was fortunate in finding such protectors. We are both terrible cowards, I don't know which is the greater." "I, without question," flashed out Miss Keane. "Otherwise I should have had the sense to scurry away like yourself. We were both frightened rabbits, but you could run to a place of safety while I stood paralysed." Mrs L'Estrange turned away the awkward thrust with a charming smile. "I have made up my mind to one thing," she remarked with an air of conviction. "Never, so long as the War lasts, will I dine out of my own home. This night's experience has taught me a lesson. I don't want a second one." At this juncture, Tommy Esmond interposed. "I was going to bring my friend Spencer round to you to-night. But I suppose you feel a bit too shattered, eh? You would like to get home and rest." "Oh dear, no!" replied the lady vivaciously. "I never alter my habits for anything or anybody. Let us all go along at once. I will go with Colonel Desmond. You and Mr Spencer can continue your charge of Stella." But Guy had a small duty to perform. "I think if you will excuse me, I will join you a little later. I want to go round to inquire after my uncle and cousin. He is a very old man, and I should like to know he is quite safe." So it was arranged. The others drove off to Mrs L'Estrange's flat, and Spencer, finding he would have some time to wait for a taxi, walked to Carlton House Terrace, where Lord Southleigh had his town house.