“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Dad. They are wonderful! You do give me the most marvellous presents always.”

“That’s all right,” said Van Aldin, patting her shoulder. “You are all I have, you know, Ruthie.”

“You will stay to dinner, won’t you, Father?”

“I don’t think so. You were going out, weren’t you?”

“Yes, but I can easily put that off. Nothing very exciting.”

“No,” said Van Aldin. “Keep your engagement. I have got a good deal to attend to. See you tomorrow, my dear. Perhaps if I phone you, we can meet at Galbraiths’?”

Messrs. Galbraith, Galbraith, Cuthbertson & Galbraith were Van Aldin’s London solicitors.

“Very well, Dad.” She hesitated. “I suppose it⁠—this⁠—won’t keep me from going to the Riviera?”