III
　　"You look exactly as you did at seventeen, Thomas Royde," said Lady Tressilian. "Just the same owlish look. And no more conversation now than you had then. Why not?"Thomas said vaguely¹: "I dunno. Never had the gift of the gab²." "Not like Adrian. Adrian was a very clever and witty³ talker." "Perhaps that's why. Always left the talking to him." "Poor Adrian. So much promise." Thomas nodded.
　　Lady Tressilian changed the subject. She was granting an audience to Thomas. She usually preferred her visitors one at a time. It did not tire her and she was able to concentrate her attention on them.
　　"You've been here twenty-four hours," she said. "What do you think of our Situation?""Situation?"
　　"Don't look stupid. You do that deliberately⁴. You know quite well what I mean. The eternal triangle which has established itself under my roof."Thomas said cautiously: "Seems a bit of friction⁵." Lady Tressilian smiled rather diabolically⁶.
　　"I will confess to you, Thomas, I am rather enjoying myself. This came about through no wish of mine - indeed, I did my utmost to prevent it. Nevile was obstinate⁷. He would insist on bringing these two together - and now he is reaping what he has sown!"Thomas Royde shifted a little in his chair.
　　"Seems funny," he said.
　　"Elucidate," snapped Lady Tressilian.
　　"Shouldn't have thought Strange was that kind of chap.""It's interesting your saying that. Because it is what I felt. It was uncharacteristic of Nevile. Nevile, like most men, is usually anxious to avoid any kind of embarrassment⁸ or possible unpleasantness. I suspected that it wasn't originally Nevile's idea - but, if not, I don't see whose idea it can have been." She paused and said with only the slightest upward inflexion: "It wouldn't be Audrey's?"Thomas said

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