The garden-party was a great success. The band played, the hired waiters ran from the marquee to the house. Wherever you looked there were couples strolling, bending to the flowers, greeting, moving on over the lawn. "Darling Laura, how well you look!" "What a becoming hat, child!" "Laura, you look quite Spanish. I've never seen you look so striking." And Laura, glowing, answered softly, "Have you had tea? Won't you have an ice? The passion-fruit ices really are rather special." She ran to her father. "Daddy darling, can't we have a bit of a party?" And slowly the afternoon slowly faded, slowly the petals closed. "All over, all over, thank heaven," said Mrs Sheridan. "Round up the others, Laura. Let's go and have some fresh coffee."