“Mademoiselle,” said Poirot, “will you let an old man congratulate you on your courage and your loyalty? And will you not misunderstand me if I ask you⁠—ask you most solemnly⁠—to postpone the announcement you speak of for at least two days more?”

Flora hesitated.

“I ask it in Ralph Paton’s interests as much as in yours, mademoiselle. You frown. You do not see how that can be. But I assure you that it is so. Pas de blagues. You put the case into my hands⁠—you must not hamper me now.”

Flora paused a few minutes before replying. “I do not like it,” she said at last, “but I will do what you say.”

She sat down again at the table.