Mrs. Mansforde looked surprised, but Mena asked,
“Where have you been since your husband died? If you could not entertain or go to parties – why did you not come home?”
“Come back here?” Lais asked in surprise. “Why should I do that?”
“I just thought,” Mena said, a little abashed, “that you might have wanted to see us.”
“I had a better idea than that,” Lais replied. “I have some friends who live in France, so I went first to their Château in the country and then on to Paris.”
Mena gave a little gasp.
It was something that she had never thought of anyone doing when they were bereaved.
She realised from the way her sister spoke that there was no need for restrictions or for people to be surprised if she enjoyed herself.
“Now that I am back,” Lais was saying, “I have come to tell you
