At the sound of his name, he slides the spine he was looking at back in place and turns, already smiling. "As well as can be expected," he steps forward a few paces to meet her half-way, "and all the better for seeing you."

He's perhaps a little thinner, a little paler, but the dark circles under his eyes are receding and he's looking crisp in a grey three-piece-suit. Over her shoulder he makes eye contact with the waiting staff, clearly indicating that they're ready to be taken to their table as soon as Irene is ready, and as if on que, someone comes to relieve her of her coat.

"--dazzling as always." Although he notices --and picks up on in other ways-- small signs of recent distress, but deliberately chooses to inquire last, "And yourself?"