After lunch, when she had gone to her tent and had changed into a fresh linen dress, the thought still worried her.
Since last night, her feeling towards Raymond had swelled into a passion of protective tenderness.
This, then, was love, this agony on another's behalf, this desire to avert, at all costs, pain from the beloved... Yes, she loved Raymond Boynton.
It was St. George and the Dragon reversed. It was she who was the rescuer and Raymond who was the chained victim.
And Mrs. Boynton was the Dragon. A dragon whose sudden amiability was, to Sarah's suspicious mind, definitely sinister.
It was about a quarter past three when Sarah strolled down to the marquee.
Lady Westholrne was sitting on a chair.
Despite the heat of the day she was still wearing her serviceable Harris tweed skirt.
On her lap was the report of a Royal Commission.
Dr. Gerard was talking to Miss Pierce who was standing by her tent holding a book entitled The Love Quest and described on its wrapper as a thrilling tale of passion and misunderstanding.
"I don't think it's wise to lie down too soon after lunch," explained Miss Pierce. "One's digestion, you know. Quite cool and pleasant in the shadow of the marquee.
Oh, dear, do you think that old lady is wise to sit in the sun up there?"
They all looked at the ridge in front of them.
Mrs. Boynton was sitting as she had sat last night, a motionless Buddha in the door of her cave.
There was no other human creature in sight.
All the camp personnel were asleep.
A short distance away, following the line of the valley, a little group of people walked together.
"For once," said Dr. Gerard, "the good Mamma permits them to enjoy themselves without her. A new devilment on her part, perhaps?"
"Do you know," said Sarah, "that's just what I thought."
"What suspicious minds we have.
Come, let us join the truants."
Leaving Miss Pierce to her exciting reading, they set off.
Once around the bend of the valley, they caught up the other party who were walking slowly.
For once, the Boyntons looked happy and carefree. Lennox and Nadine, Carol and Raymond, Mr. Cope with a broad smile on his face and the last arrivals, Gerard and Sarah, were soon all laughing and talking together.
A sudden wild hilarity was born.
In everyone's mind was the feeling that this was a snatched pleasure - a stolen treat to enjoy to the full.
Sarah and Raymond did not draw apart. Instead, Sarah walked with Carol and Lennox.
Dr. Gerard chatted to Raymond close behind them. Nadine and Jefferson Cope walked a little apart.
It was the Frenchman who broke up the party. His words had been coming spasmodically for some time.
Suddenly he stopped.
"A thousand excuses.
I fear I must go back."
Sarah looked at him.
"Anything the matter?"
He nodded. "Yes, fever.
It's been coming on ever since lunch."
Sarah scrutinized him. "Malaria?"
"Yes.
I'll go back and take quinine.
Hope this won't be a bad attack.
It is a legacy from a visit to the Congo."
"Shall I come with you?" asked Sarah.
"No, no.
I have my case of drugs with me.
A confounded nuisance.
Go on, all of you."
He walked quickly back in the direction of the camp.
Sarah looked undecidedly after him for a minute, then she met Raymond's eyes, smiled at him, and the Frenchman was forgotten.
For a time the six of them, Carol, herself, Lennox, Cope, Nadine and Raymond, kept together.
Then, somehow or other, she and Raymond had drifted apart.