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‘He is not my husband’

‘While you are in Paris, I am,’ Jay said ‘And a o back to England is another ed tack ‘Tell hbeck recently?’

‘I was there last week They are all well, though your rueso told in the newspapers, she is half-convinced she will never see you again and she is inclined to blao’

‘I have never known them quarrel’

‘Oh, they are not quarrelling Like all good wives, she is suffering in silence I only found out from one of your sisters’

‘See,’ Jay said to Lisette ‘Even Harry thinks good wives should keep their own counsel and do not defy their lords’

‘Then it is as well our state of matrimony is only temporary,’ she said with some asperity

Jay changed the subject and turned back to Harry ‘Did you see Edward and Anne?’

‘To be sure I did I was taken to see an enormous eel in the moat which they told me no one was allowed to catch because they wanted to see how long it would grow they did not believe me when I said it would say to find a mate and make more little eels When I told theards and hoped you would both be home soon I think they like you, Mrs Drymore’

‘And I am very fond of them Was my father well?’

‘Yes, but pining for you and for his son He toldoff as you did and putting yourself in danger, but I was to tell you he forgave you and prayed for your safe return I assured hi matters to a successful outcome’

‘Thank you,’ she said The advent of Lord Portman with his cheerful optimism had ained soood humour They finished their meal in pleasant conversation, in which Harry told of soerous situations, and Jay countered with stories of his days at sea

When the repast was finished, Harry laid down his cutlery and stood up ‘Thank you,meal I can hardly be truthful and call it delicious When we are all back in England, you and Jay, and your brother too, shall be o back to Nat and Joe or they onder what has become of me’ He went off to put on his down-at-heel shoes and picked up his bundle of rags ‘I shall need these again, no doubt I will return your clothes next time we meet’ He bowed to Lisette ‘Good day, madam’

‘I a his hat and outdoor coat from a cupboard in the vestibule ‘I will accompany you as far as the corner’ To Lisette, he said, ‘I do not knohen I shall be back Do not wait supper for me’