Follow a Stranger

speak to him.

At dinner Jean-Paul was unceasingly attentive, talking

to her, watching her, smiling at her. She was grateful for

the shield of his presence. Behind that shield she could

build up her defences again. Marc must not be allowed to

bulldoze them down again.

She and Jean-Paul each had a need of each other, she

was under no illusions about his flattering attentions. He

wanted to heal his pride, wounded by Pallas.

The rest of the table was more divided. Pallas barely

spoke at all. Sam was absorbed by his shish-kebabs and

sweet, orange-flavoured gateau. Helene seemed distrait and

nervous, and Mrs. Lillitos was apparently quite lacking

appetite. Marc spoke anxiously as she sent away her plate,

barely touched, but she unsmilingly shook her head,

obviously telling him that she was quite well.

Kate looked back at the time before the arrival of Marie-

Louise and Helene, and wished it was back. There had been

more ease in the party then. They had been quite happy.

After dinner Marc retired to his office. His mother went

to bed, with Helene in attendance, and Kate soon' followed,

feeling very low in spirits.

She heard voices from Mrs. Lillitos’s bedroom, and

thought that it was charming to see such affection between

Helene and her mother-in-law, particularly since Paul

Lillitos had died so long ago. Would Marie-Louise get such a

warm welcome into the family? She felt somehow, that Mrs.

Lillitos did not like the other woman. She was always polite

to her, yet there was a coldness between them. Marie-

Louise was always cloyingly eager to flatter Mrs. Lillitos.