I didn't drive to the door, I was afraid of disturbing you.
I had some idea you probably rested in the afternoon.'
I said nothing.
The lie was too obvious.
We all walked out through the drawing-room and into the hall.
I saw him glance over his shoulder and wink at Mrs Danvers.
She did not wink in return.
I hardly expected she would.
She looked very hard and grim.
Jasper frolicked out on to the drive.
He seemed delighted with the sudden appearance of this visitor whom he appeared to know so well.
'I left my cap in the car, I believe,' said the man, pretending to glance round the hall.
'As a matter of fact, I didn't come in this way.
I slipped round and bearded Danny in her den.
Coming out to see the car too?'
He looked inquiringly at Mrs Danvers.
She hesitated, watching me out of the tail of her eye.
'No,' she said.
'No, I don't think I'll come out now.
Goodbye, Mr Jack.'
He seized her hand and shook it heartily.
'Goodbye, Danny: take care of yourself.
You know where to get in touch with me always.
It's done me a power of good to see you again.'
He walked out on to the drive, Jasper dancing at his heels, and I followed him slowly, feeling very uncomfortable still.
'Dear old Manderley,' he said, looking up at the windows.
"The place hasn't changed much.
I suppose Danny sees to that.
What a wonderful woman she is, eh?'
'Yes, she's very efficient,' I said.
'And what do you think of it all?
Like being buried down here?'
'I'm very fond of Manderley,' I said stiffly.
'Weren't you living somewhere down in the south of France when Max met you?
Monte, wasn't it?
I used to know Monte well.'
'Yes, I was in Monte Carlo,' I said.
We had come to his car now.
A green sports thing, typical of its owner.
'What do you think of it?' he said.
'Very nice,' I said, politely.
'Come for a run to the lodge gates?' he said.
'No, I don't think I will,' I said.
'I'm rather tired.'
'You don't think it would look too good for the mistress of Manderley to be seen driving with someone like me, is that it?' he said, and he laughed, shaking his head at me.
'Oh, no,' I said, turning rather red.
'No, really.'
He went on looking me up and down in his amused way with those familiar, unpleasant blue eyes.
I felt like a barmaid.
'Oh, well,' he said, 'we mustn't lead the bride astray, must we, Jasper?