Peter hadn’t an idea why, but he too got up.  Tommy protested.  “Look here,” she said, “I came for dinner, not for a dance.  Oh, look out, Captain Graham; you’ll upset the cutlets!” Peter avoided the waiter by an effort, but came on round her to the other side.

“Get out of it, Tommy,” said Julie, leaning over and pushing her.  “I will have a man beside me, anyhow.”

“I’d sooner be opposite,” said Donovan.  “I can see you better, and you can’t make eyes at the Frenchman at the other table quite so well if I get my head in the way.”

“Oh, but he’s such a dear,” said Julie.  “I’d love to flirt with him.  Only I must say his hair is a bit greasy.”

“You’ll make his lady furious if you don’t take care,” said Donovan, “and it’s a shame to spoil her trade.”

Peter glanced across.  A French officer, sitting opposite a painted girl, was smiling at them.  He looked at Julie; she was smiling back.

“Julie, don’t for Heaven’s sake,” said her half-section.  “We shall have him over here next, and you remember once before how awkward it was.”

Julie laughed.  “Give me another drink, then, Captain Donovan,” she said, “and I’ll be good.”

Donovan filled up her glass.  She raised it and challenged him. “Here’s to we two in Blighty,” she began.

Miss Raynard rose determinedly and interrupted her.  “Come on,” she said; “that’s a bit too much, Julie.  We must go, or we’ll never get back, and don’t forget you’ve got to go on duty in the morning, my dear.”  She pulled out a little watch.  “Good heavens!” she cried.  “Do you know the time?  It’s eight-twenty now.  We ought to have been in by eight, and eighty-thirty is the latest time that’s safe.  For any sake, come on.”

Julie for once agreed.  “Good Lord, yes,” she said.  “We must have a taxi.  Can we get one easily?”

“Oh, I expect so,” said Donovan.  “Settle up, Graham, will you? while I shepherd them out and get a car.  Come on, and take care how you pass the Frenchman.”

In a few minutes Peter joined them on the steps outside.  The restaurant was in the corner of a square which contained a small public garden, and the three of them were waiting for him on the curb.  A taxi stood by them.  The broad streets ran away to left and right, gay with lights and passers-by, and the dark trees stood out against a starry sky.  A group of British officers went laughing by, and one of them recognised Donovan and hailed him.  Two spahis crossed out of the shade into the light, their red and gold a picturesque splash of colour.  Behind them glared the staring pictures of the cinema show on a great hoarding by the wall.

“Come on, Graham,” called Donovan, “hop in.”

The four packed in closely, Peter and Tommy opposite the other two, Julie farthest from Peter.  They started, and he caught her profile as the street lights shone in and out with the speed of their passing.  She was smoking, puffing quickly at her cigarette, and hardly silent a moment.