Because she had no wish to dwell on the subject, she talked to him animatedly about the drawings that she was to show him and, when they reached the writing room, she sat down in her favourite position at his feet to take the sketches from a portfolio and spread them out around her.
“Look at this one!” she cried. “It’s exquisite!”
“I think it must be of Rome,” Lord Heywood said, “and it is certainly drawn by a very accomplished artist.”
“That is what I thought and, although I have never been there, I am sure that this is a view of Paris.”
“It is indeed! In fact I remember standing in that actual place.”
“With whom?” Lalita asked.
“Actually, and I can hear the suspicion in your voice,” he replied, “I was with a crusty old General who had imbibed too much at luncheon and I was having s
