n the knowledge of the power to create a home when she felt
inclined to create one. Not that it would not have been absurd to set about
creating a home with Mr. Gilman hanging over her like a destiny. It would
have been rude to him to do so; it would have been to transgress against
the inter-sexual code as promulgated by Madame Piriac.... She wondered what
sort of a place Meudon was, and whether he would propose to her while they
were looking at the view together.... She trembled with the sense of
adventure, which had little to do with happiness or unhappiness.... But
_would_ he propose to her? Not improbably the whole conception of the
situation was false and she was being ridiculous!

Still the nice constraint persisted as the women began to put on their
gloves, while Mr. Gilman had a word with the chief priest. And Audrey had
the illusion of being a dedicated victim. As she self-consciously and yet
proudly handled her gloves she could not help but notice the simple gold
wedding-ring on a certain finger. She had never removed it. She had never
formally renounced her claim to the status of a widow. That she was not a
widow, that she had been guilty of a fraud on a gullible public, was
somehow generally known; but the facts were not referred to, save perhaps
in rare hints by Tommy, and she had continued to be known as Mrs.
Moncreiff. Ignominious close to a daring enterprise! And in the
circumstances nothing was more out of place than the ring, bought in cold,
wilful, calculating naughtiness at Colchester.

Just when Miss Ingate was beginning to discuss her own plans for the
afternoon, Mr. Price entered the restaurant, and as he did so Miss
Thompkins, saying something about the small type on the poster outside,
went to the window to examine it. Mr. Price, disguised as a discreet
dandy-about-town, bore a parcel of music. He removed a most glossy hat; he
bowed to the whole company of ladies, who responded with smiles in which
was acknowledge that he was a dandy in addition to being a secretary; and
lastly with deference he handed the parcel of music to Mr. Gilman.

"So you did get it! What did I tell you?" said Mr. Gilman with negligent
condescension. "A minute later, and we should have been gone.... Has Mr.
Price got this right?" he asked Audrey, putting the music respectfully in
front of her.

It included the reduced score of the Beethoven violin concerto, and other
items to be performed that night at the Salle Xavier.