It was, Gina realised, a tremendous effort for Lady Alice to come downstairs for dinner.
She was looking very pale, but extremely beautiful in a gown of musk-rose silk.
She then walked into the Blue Salon where they were to meet before dinner and Gina exclaimed impulsively,
“How lovely you look. And that is a very beautiful gown.”
Gina thought for a moment that Lady Alice looked pleased at the compliment and she went on,
“I have been looking round this room and I have concluded that the more I see of The Priory the more fascinating I find it.”
“Yes ‒ it is magnificent,” Lady Alice said wearily and sank down on a sofa.
Gina then sat next to her.
“I want you to tell me why you think you feel so tired. The Earl said the Doctors could find nothing really wrong with you.”
“I did not us
