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tonight he would content himself with merely dropping one or two hints. He wondered whether she would introduce the man to their party. It would be interesting to talk to him and find out what exactly it took to attract Angela, who did not normally appear to be easily impressed by the opposite sex.
    He was reflecting pleasurably on the prospect of getting a rise out of his friend when he was accosted by a young lady of his acquaintance, who declared it was an age since they had seen one another and insisted that he come and meet her new fiancé. Freddy allowed her to lead him away and put his new knowledge to the back of his mind, resolving to save it for later. He was quite determined that Angela should not escape him, but it would have to wait for now.

FIVE
    After the dance finished Angela and Valencourt made their way out of the ballroom in search of some fresh air and quiet. Unfortunately, the corridor outside was full of people who had had the same idea—mainly giggling couples and men looking for a brief respite from their arduous social duties—and in the end they were forced to stand almost by the front door of the house and put up with the occasional blast of cold air whenever someone went in or out. Angela stood by a tall potted palm and did her best not to glance around nervously.
    ‘What time do you leave tomorrow?’ she said.
    ‘Early,’ he replied. ‘The boat train departs at half past seven. I should be in Calais by early afternoon, I think.’
    ‘Then you really are going to France,’ she said.
    ‘Of course,’ he said. ‘Where did you think I was going?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘It might be anywhere. I’m afraid I still never quite know whether you’re telling the truth or not.’
    ‘But why should I lie in this instance?’
    ‘No reason at all. You must have realized by this time that I’m unlikely to set the police on you,’ she said dryly.
    He smiled.
    ‘I don’t take you for granted, I assure you,’ he said. ‘Quite the contrary, in fact. If you never know whether or not I’m telling the truth, I never know whether or not you’ll give me the cold shoulder when we meet.’
    ‘Then it appears we’re even,’ she said, and accepted a cigarette from him.
    He put his hand in his inside pocket for a light and accidentally half-pulled something out with it. He replaced it immediately, but it was too late, for although the corridor was only dimly lit, they were standing directly below a ceiling lamp, which gleamed off whatever it was and threw it into sharp relief for the merest second. Angela saw it immediately and stiffened.
    ‘What was that?’ she said.
    Was it her imagination, or did a guilty look flash briefly across his face?
    ‘What was what?’ he said.
    ‘That thing you pulled out of your pocket just now.’
    ‘This, you mean?’ he said, bringing out a cigarette-lighter. ‘It’s empty. Rather pointless carrying it around, really.’
    Had they not just been talking about his trustworthiness or otherwise, Angela might have let it go at that, but despite what she had said only a moment ago, this time she knew for certain that he was lying. She looked into his face and forced him to meet her gaze.
    ‘No, that’s not what I meant and you know it,’ she said. ‘What was it? Something you oughtn’t to have?’
    ‘Of course not,’ he said, and all the lightness had suddenly gone from his tone.
    They regarded one another warily, adversaries once again. There was a pause, then Angela lifted her chin.
    ‘Goodbye, Mr. Valencourt,’ she said coldly, and with that turned on her heel and walked back towards the ball-room. She was furious with him and with herself. She had thought that they might part on good terms at least, but here he was, lying to her once again. He had talked of giving up his life of crime, and yet she had seen as plainly as anything what he had been carrying in his pocket. How stupid she had been to believe him! He had evidently not changed one