'Well, I'll be off then. I'll tell Edith you'll write for rooms. Look sharp about it, because they soon go at the best hotels.'
'At any rate I'll bring Freddie down for a week,' said Aylmer, 'and then we'll see.'
'Who is that girl?' asked Bruce, as he left.
'She's a young artist, and I lent her some books of old prints she wanted. She's not a particular friend of mine—I don't care for her much.'
Bruce didn't hear the last words, for he was flying out of the door.
Miss Argles was walking very slowly; he joined her.
'Pardon me,' he said, raising his hat. 'It's so very hot—am I going your way? Would you allow me to see you home?'
'Oh, you're very kind, I'm sure,' she said sadly. 'But I don't think—I live at Ravenscourt Park.'
Bruce thought there was plenty of time.
'Why how very curious! That's just where I was going,' said he boldly.
He put up his stick. Instead of a taxi a hansom drove up. Bruce hailed it.