"How very modern!" commented Nan, smiling. "And--how like Maryon!"
"Just like him, isn't it? And"--drily--"it was just like him, too, to see that the marriage settlement arrangements were all quite water-tight. However, on the whole, it's a fair bargain between them. She rejoices in the honour and glory of being a well-known artist's wife, while he has rather more money than is good for him."
Ralph, broadened out a bit since his successful trip to America, was on the steps of the Mansions to welcome them, and the lift conveyed them all three up to the flat--the dear, home-like flat of which Nan felt she loved every inch.
"You're in your old room," Penelope told her, and Nan gave vent to a crow of delight.
Dinner was a delightful meal, full of the familiar gossip of the artistes' room, and the news of old friends, and fervent discussions on matters musical and artistic, with running through it all a ripple of humour and the cheery atmosphere of camaraderie and good-fellowship. When it was over, the three drew cosily together round the fire in Ralph's den. Nan sank into her chair with a blissful sigh.
"That's not a sigh of repletion, Penny," she explained. "Though really your cook might have earned it? . . . But oh! _isn't_ this nice?" Inwardly she was reflecting that at just about this time Roger, together with Lady Gertrude and Isobel, would be returning from Great-aunt Rachel's funeral, only to learn of her own flight from Trenby Hall.
"Yes," agreed Penelope. "It really was angelic of Roger to spare you at a moment's notice."
"You dear innocent! Roger--didn't know--I was coming."
"No, I just thought I'd come . . . and he--they were all away . . . and I came! I left a note behind, telling him I was going to stay with you. So he won't be anxious!"
"Roger didn't know you were coming!" repeated Penelope. "Nan"--a sudden light illuminating the dark places--"have you had a quarrel?"
"And you came straight off here? . . . Oh, Nan, what a fool's trick! He will be furious!"
Once or twice Penelope had caught a glimpse of that hot-headed temper which lay hidden beneath Roger's somewhat blunt exterior.
"Lady Gertrude will be furious!" murmured Nan reminiscently.
"I think she'll have the right to be," answered Penelope, with quiet rebuke in her tones. "It really was abominable of you to run away like that."