"It looks like your people are waiting for you," observes Linyabel, when she's seen him out of the building, and indeed there are Vorob'yev, Maz, and with them ghem-colonel Benin. And, for cover: "I hope you found this educational, though it is a pity we cannot address your needs. Good evening."

The bubble slips back indoors.

Benin and Vorob'yev seem to find each other inhibiting presences - both want to know what he's doing talking to haut-ladies; neither is capable of the verbal fencing or dire threats necessary to pin him down on the subject while the other is there. Maz only looks sympathetic about the story regarding Miles's interest in genetic treatments.

They proceed to the embassy car - passing on the way a grove full of brightly colored tiny frogs who sing harmonizing chords and glow as they begin their notes. Ghem-colonel Benin draws him thereby into brief veiled banter about the economics of their respective empires (haut luxury is supported by a massive tax base; Barrayar's ability to match Cetaganda militarily, as it has done, requires roughly fourfold effectiveness per resource unit); but then they reach the car and Benin is left behind.