"There are some on the dressing table," she murmured. Sonia cracked an eye open and gave them a relaxed gaze. The maid came back in with another teacup for Chéri. Sonia said, "Before you leave, would you kindly hand me the lilac oil?" in heavily accented English. The girl nodded and retrieved the bottle that was in a crystal decanter. She offered the bottle to them when the maid left, saying, "This smell always makes me wonder about things that I cannot remember."

At Chéri's unasked question, she opened her other eye and gazed at them for a long moment before answering, "I just want to make sure you in particular are feeling at home here." Yes, it is important, she silently relayed right back.