“But why are you in a bad temper?” she asked. “Do you mean you are always in a bad temper?”

“Pretty well,” he said, laughing. “I don’t quite digest my bile.”

“But what bile?” she said.

“Bile!” he said. “Don’t you know what that is?” She was silent, and disappointed. He was taking no notice of her.

“I’m going away for a while next month,” she said.

“You are! Where to?”

“Venice.”

“Venice! With Sir Clifford? For how long?”

“For a month or so,” she replied. “Clifford won’t go.”