Too bad, wasn't it?' Damerel said. 'Instead of dying heroically for love I was left disconsolate - though not, I must admit, for long!' She raised her eyes at that, and said warmly: 'I am excessively glad to hear that, and I do *hope* you next mistress was entertaining as well as pretty!' The sneer vanished from his face; the smile that lit his eyes was one of pure amusement. 'A charming little ladybird!' he assured her.